Woman missing in Utah national park for 12 days found alive

It is not known how Holly Courtier managed to survive for so long in Utah, but she was found after a “credible tip” from another visitor

The family of a woman who had been missing for 12 days in a national park in the American state of Utah have said that they are “overjoyed” after she was discovered safe and well.

Holly Suzanne Courtier, aged 38, was dropped off at Zion National Park on the 6th of October, but did not appear for her scheduled pick-up time later that day.

The National Park Service has said that Ms Courtier was found by search and rescue teams in Utah after it received a “credible tip” from another visitor of Zion National Park.

This comes after a man from the United States has caught COVID-19 twice, with the second infection being far more dangerous than the first, say doctors, and required hospital treatment after his lungs not being able to get enough oxygen throughout his body.

It said: “Search and rescue crews found Holly Suzanne Courtier today within Zion National Park. Park Rangers received a credible tip from a park visitor that they had seen Courtier within the park. Courtier has been reunited with and has left the park with her family.”

Local media reports said Ms Courtier, who is an experienced hiker, had set off on a road trip to visit national parks after losing her job due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is not known how she managed to survive for so long in the park.

In a statement her family said: “We are overjoyed that she was found safely today.

“We would like to thank the rangers and search teams who relentlessly looked for her day and night and never gave up hope. We are also so grateful to the countless volunteers who were generous with their time, resources and support.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the network of people who came together.”

This comes after pork and poultry that has shown “unacceptable” levels of bacteria such as salmonella and E coli will be reaching supermarket shelves within the US and could risk UK trade talks.

The search included K-9 units and federal, state and local rescue teams and volunteers.

A GoFundMe page initially set up to cover the cost of the search raised more than $10,400 (£8,018) and the money will also be used to pay for any treatment Ms Courtier needs.

Describing the Zion National Park, the park service said: “Within its 232 square miles are high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone canyons, and the Virgin River and its tributaries.”