Heather Wayment, a 46-year-old hiker reported missing in Idaho, was found alive 17 miles from her vehicle by a group of mountain bikers, according to a press release from the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.
She was discovered on Thursday afternoon, more than 24 hours after she was reported missing by her family.
The Context
The search efforts for Wayment spanned two days and included assistance from multiple agencies and members of the public.
Blaine County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that it "would like to thank the members of Blaine County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, Snake River Search and Rescue, Blaine County Emergency Communications, Life Flight 76, the Camas County Sheriff's Office, and all the members of the public who provided information to assist us in rescuing Heather Wayment safely."
What To Know
Wayment's family reported her missing at approximately 9:10 a.m. local time on Wednesday and said they last had contact with her on Tuesday.
License plate reader cameras recorded Wayment's vehicle traveling north on Highway 75 through Blaine County at about 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday.
Search efforts began after the missing person report was filed, with search teams traveling on foot and mountain bikes, with the additional use of drones and helicopters.
The sheriff's office said hikers, campers and hunters in the area were interviewed.
Search operations were paused on Wednesday evening before resuming Thursday morning with additional resources from Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue and Snake River Search and Rescue. Canines and teams on horseback assisted in the search.
On Thursday afternoon at about 3:24 p.m., several mountain bikers who were not part of the search effort located Wayment on a remote trail in Camas County, 17 miles from her vehicle.
Wayment was able to identify herself, and the group used a satellite phone to alert Blaine County Emergency Communications 911.
The sheriff's office said due to the remoteness of the location, significant logistics were involved in Wayment's rescue.
What People Are Saying
Blaine County Sheriff's Office said in a statement: "We especially want to thank our Blaine County Sheriff's Office deputies for their incredible efforts over the past two days, and the mountain bikers who were able to contact law enforcement, guide the Life Flight crew to Heather, and remain by Heather's side offering aid until medical assistance could arrive."
Hailey Police Department wrote in a statement on Facebook: "We are thankful Heather Wayment was found safe and alive, and for the Blaine County Sheriff and their external teams that assisted them in finding her, as well as the bikers that came upon her and stayed with her throughout rescue efforts."
What Happens Next?
After Wayment's rescue, an air ambulance arrived at the site by 4:20 p.m., and by approximately 5:45 p.m., she was airlifted via Life Flight 76 to St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise for treatment.
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