Kathryn Jane Woessner, 68, who had been missing for three days in Minnesota, was found alive over the weekend almost completely embedded in mud. Authorities reported that Woessner disappeared from Alexandria and was found about 80 miles from the city where she lived.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office stated that Woessner was last seen on June 3 and was reported missing shortly afterward. Search efforts continued until she was rescued over the weekend.
Spotted in a swampy area
Adam Sandbeck and Mike Gravalin, who found Woessner, said they saw a minibus stuck in mud while driving an off-road vehicle on trails around Backus and Hackensack. At first, they thought it was just a vehicle, but upon closer inspection, they noticed someone lying next to it.
Sandbeck recounted that the woman whispered "Help me," which frightened him greatly. He said the only visible part was the round area around her mouth and lips.
The two pulled the woman out from where she was stuck and called 911. Woessner reportedly described the pit she fell into as "viscous mud."
Hospitalized
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced that Woessner was taken to the hospital after being rescued. No further details about her health condition were shared.
The incident highlighted once again how critical local residents' awareness can be during searches for missing persons. Woessner being found alive after three days brought a brief but significant relief to the area.