PARK RAPIDS, MN – Two West Fargo riders exploring trails near Park Rapids miraculously discovered and rescued an endangered missing woman who had been trapped in deep mud for three days.
A Shocking Discovery On The Trail
Adam Sandbeck and Mike Gravalin were riding a Polaris side-by-side on Saturday, June 7, when they took an unfamiliar trail shortcut. About three-quarters of a mile in, they spotted a Chrysler minivan stuck on the rugged, overgrown path.
Lying in a deep mud puddle next to the vehicle was 68-year-old Kathryn Jane Woessner of Alexandria, Minnesota. Only her mouth and the center of her face were above the waterline. As the men approached, she whispered, “Help me.”
Three Days Of Survival
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had previously issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert for Woessner, who was last seen on June 3.
According to rescuers, Woessner had stepped out of her vehicle, slipped into the mud, and became trapped as if in quicksand. She survived a major storm and watched multiple sunrises while immobilized. By the time she was found, she was severely dehydrated and sunburned but alive.
GPS Technology Facilitates Fast Rescue
Reaching the remote, roadless stretch of forest quickly was a major challenge. However, the riders utilized the built-in GPS tracking coordinates from their vehicle’s Polaris Ride Command system.
This critical location data allowed volunteer firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement to navigate the dense terrain and reach the scene in under 30 minutes.
Recovery And Thanks To First Responders
Gravalin, a retired deputy U.S. Marshal, credited his professional training for keeping the duo calm during the high-stakes rescue. Both men praised the rural volunteer first responders for their rapid and efficient response.
Woessner was transported to Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. She has since been released and is currently recovering with her family. Authorities are still investigating how her front-wheel-drive minivan traveled so far into the remote wooded trail.
