Mass. Soldiers Rescue Woman Stranded For Days In New Jersey Woods
BOSTON (CBS) -- After being stranded for days, 87-year-old Jeannette Haskins is so grateful to be alive.
Read: Mass. National Guard Rescues Elderly Woman Stranded In Hot Car For Days
Haskins says she was on her way to visit her daughter when she got lost in the woods of New Jersey and her car became trapped in sand way off the beaten path.
Her cell phone was dead and she was stranded in 100 degree weather.
"I didn't see anybody and knew I wouldn't last another day," Haskins said.
Just in the nick of time, members of the Massachusetts Army National Guard G Co. 186th Brigade Support Battalion were in the middle of training and stumbled upon her vehicle.
"It was obvious the car was stuck in deep sand," says Staff Sergeant Dana Frances.
Haskins says more than 48 hours had gone by. She had to drink rainwater from thunderstorms to survive. On Monday afternoon, she had lost hope and blacked out.
"She told us she was preparing to die. She was laying in the backseat and she had (given) up," PFC Aaron Amardey-Wellington said.
The men gave her water, put her on oxygen and rushed her to the hospital.
"When I came to, they found me and it was the most wonderful feeling in my life. I owe so much to them," Haskins said.
The national guard members were happy to help the woman, who is now safely back with her family.
"I don't think there are words to describe saving a life. I'm really glad she's alive and kicking," Amardey-Wellington said.
