Carroll County Emergency Management director Janice Newman calls the survival of Brenda McDonald, 73, of Atwood, an absolute miracle.
“I had asked for prayers for her and they were answered,” said Newman Monday. “it just touched my heart.”
She was found by members of the Carroll County Rescue Squad about a mile away from her 270 McDonald Road home in a creek within some woods about 3:40 a.m. Sunday She was transported by helicopter to Jackson General Hospital. She has been released and is home. The temperature was in the teens, Newman said.
She lived alone and had a medical condition. She was last seen about 6 p.m. Friday. Relatives went to her house Saturday about 7:30 p.m. after they were not able to contact her.
After checking the premises and she was not located, 911 was called.
Fifty-seven volunteers turned out to assist in the search, according to Newman. Among them besides the sheriff’s department and Rescue Squad were the THP helicopter pilot, McKenzie Fire and Rescue, Carroll County Fire Dept., Huntingdon Fire Dept., MEA and TEMA.
Women of the community provided food for the searchers where a command post had been set up at Howse Baptist Church.
“Everyone did such a great job, including our dispatchers who worked tirelessly during this time,” said Newman. “Without everyone’s help this story would have had a different ending.”
