Surviving 72 Hours in the Forest in Swimsuits: US Group Eats Tree Bark and Flowers to Stay Alive

The tube burst after striking a log during river recreation
Covered in insect bites and wounds

A story from the United States has captured attention after three people, stranded in a forest for 72 hours following a water recreation accident, were miraculously rescued. According to reports, they survived by eating tree bark and flowers and drinking river water until they were found.

A broken cell phone, a bottle of water with just a few sips left... Missing persons found in swimsuits

Rescue workers searching for missing persons. Photo by AP News

On August 12 (local time), AP News reported that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released footage of the rescue of Sarah Vida (28), her son Kaiden Kovalchik (9), and Jasmine Hawk (28), who were found near the Muskegon River.

The released footage shows rescue team members pushing through tall undergrowth up to their shoulders as they search for the missing people. When a police officer shouted, “Call out!” the boy’s scream was heard from a distance, and Conservation Officer Cameron Wright responded, “We’re coming!”

The rescue team continued their search through sharp grass, and soon, they discovered the three individuals in the undergrowth, wearing only swimsuits. In particular, Hawk’s legs were covered in wounds and insect bites sustained from days of trudging through the brush. All they had were a broken cell phone and a nearly empty bottle of water.

The tube burst, forcing them out of the river... Lost in the woods

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Pixabay

The three had an accident on August 5 while floating down the river on a tube. Their tube struck a floating log, which caused it to rupture and made it impossible for them to continue their water activities. They escaped to the riverbank and started walking, only to realize after some time that they were walking in circles.

The missing persons report was filed after one member of the group failed to turn up for a dental appointment. The rescue team searched the river and the surrounding rugged terrain. They were eventually found about 7 miles (approximately 11.27 km) from where they had entered the river.

The rescue team tracked their trail using the abandoned tube found on the riverbank as a clue, following footprints, snapped branches, and trampled grass. During the rescue, Kaiden told the rescue workers that he had survived by eating tree bark and flowers. Hawk explained that she drank river water due to the lack of adequate drinking water.

The rescuers confirmed that the group’s condition was very poor. In particular, the rescuers gave them their shirts to prevent insects from sticking to their wounds and put medical gloves on their hands and feet. The three were eventually transferred to a hospital, where they received treatment for infections, dehydration, and rashes. It was later reported that all have since returned home.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.