Missing 72-Year-Old Woman Found Alive After Serious Fall in Remote California Wilderness

CALIFORNIA — A 72-year-old woman who disappeared during a solo camping trip in Northern California has been found alive after suffering serious injuries in a remote mountainous area.

Mary Beth Granbery, a resident of Mount Shasta, was rescued on October 4, 2026, following a coordinated search involving sheriff’s deputies, volunteers and helicopter crews.

A Camping Trip Takes a Frightening Turn

Granbery departed on September 28 for a multiday camping trip and was expected to return by October 1.

When she failed to appear at work the following day, concerned family members reported her missing.

On October 3, relatives discovered her camper van parked at the Cabin Creek Trailhead, providing authorities with an important clue about where she might have gone.

Rescuers Discover Her Injured in Rugged Terrain

Search teams from Siskiyou and Shasta counties joined forces to locate the missing woman.

On October 4, ground crews finally discovered Granbery near Cabin Creek.

She was alive and conscious but had suffered significant injuries after falling down a steep embankment.

Reports indicated that she had sustained a severe knee injury and was showing signs of prolonged exposure to the elements.

Her condition made it extremely difficult for rescuers to evacuate her through the surrounding terrain.

Helicopter Crew Carries Out Dramatic Evacuation

California Highway Patrol Air Operations was called in to assist with the rescue.

A helicopter crew successfully hoisted Granbery from the difficult terrain and transported her to a nearby landing zone.

She was then transferred to an air ambulance and flown to Mercy Medical Center in Redding for treatment.

Family Receives the News They Had Hoped For

Despite the seriousness of her ordeal, authorities subsequently confirmed that Granbery was in stable condition and that her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Officials thanked the search and rescue volunteers, law enforcement personnel, aviation crews and family members who helped bring the operation to a successful conclusion.

For Granbery’s loved ones, days of uncertainty finally ended with the news that she had survived.

Source: Fox News Digital, October 8, 2026. Reporting by Kelly McGreal, based on information from Siskiyou County and Shasta County authorities.