Woman survives six days after crash near river in Wickenburg

A 53-year-old woman was rescued after surviving approximately six days after being involved in a crash, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

DPS said Friday, October 12, the woman lost control of her vehicle along US 60 near milepost 117. The vehicle traveled through the right-of-way fence and dropped 50 feet, landing in a mesquite tree where it remained suspended above the ground.

Six days later, a DPS maintenance crew and rancher noticed a break in the fence near the roadway and observed a mangled vehicle lodged in a mesquite tree about 50 feet down from the roadway.

The Arizona Department of Transportation notified DPS and a trooper was sent to the scene.

DPS said they found human tracks leading towards the Hassayampa river bed.

Trooper Hiegel and Zack Moralez followed the tracks for 500 yards and discovered a severely dehydrated woman with serious injuries. They began treating the woman and called for a medical helicopter.

DPS said the woman told Trooper Hiegel she lost control of her vehicle six days earlier and remained inside of the vehicle for several days before climbing out. Once she climbed out, she walked towards the railroad tracks in the area with the hope of being discovered.

She never made it because of her weakened physical state.

DPS said the woman was airlifted to a Valley hospital.