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A hunter who had been missing for nearly three weeks in California was found alive on Saturday in a remarkable turn of events.
Ron Dailey, a resident of Selma, California, set off for what was supposed to be a one-day hunting trip in the Sierra National Forest. When he failed to return, his concerned family reached out to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for help.
Dailey recounted that he initially ventured onto the Swamp Lake Trail but soon found himself lost in unfamiliar territory.
“I navigated over a tough spot, and it scraped the bottom of my vehicle. I saw a tree marked with ‘Diamond Road, jeep road.’ That signaled that only a specialized vehicle could handle it, and I didn’t have one,” Dailey explained.
Continuing along the trail, Dailey eventually faced a major setback when his truck was ruined. He used the vehicle as a makeshift shelter and relied on the food supplies he had packed, which lasted him about two weeks.
After several days had passed, at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, Dailey decided to make a move.
“You either try to walk out or you’re going to sit here and die,” said Dailey.
The Selma man said he fell a couple of times going downhill, and when he was at the bottom of a rocky hill, he noticed he lost his phone.
Weeks passed and Dailey said after several miles of walking and lots of praying — relief.
Authorities said he was found by a group of hunters near Swamp Lake Trail on Saturday.
“There were resources from across the Central Valley that came here. We have different counties that sent equipment. Kern County sent equipment. Of course, Tulare County, Kings County all had individuals here assisting with the search,” said Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig.
Dailey’s daughter, Breanna, recorded him recounting how he got lost as he recovered at in a Clovis hospital.
Dailey is being monitored by doctors. The family says if everything goes as planned, Dailey will be released on Monday.
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