In a remarkable tale of survival, an elderly woman from Maine was rescued after being lost in the woods for four days, thanks in part to the loyalty of her pet dog. Sadly, her husband did not survive the ordeal. Pamela Helmstadter, 72, and her husband John Helmstadter, 82, set out for a walk with their two dogs on Sunday, October 13, along a trail just a few miles from their home in Alexander, Maine. However, the couple strayed off the path and became lost in the dense forest, according to the Portland Press Herald. Neither of them had cell phones with them.
Husband falls, wife searches for help
Authorities describe John as less “physically capable” than his wife. John eventually fell during the walk, prompting Pamela to leave in search of help. Tragically, she was unable to find her way back. Concern grew when a neighbor noticed a package had been left untouched on the couple’s porch for several days, raising the alarm. One of the couple’s two dogs managed to return home alone, spurring a search effort by local authorities.
Maine Game Warden Jake Voter found Pamela on Thursday afternoon, four days after the couple had gone missing. Pamela was found in the woods, suffering from severe hypothermia with her body temperature at a dangerous 90.7°F (32.6°C). Remarkably, the couple’s black Labrador, Lucy, was by her side, keeping her warm through the cold and rain that had persisted over the days they were lost. John’s body was found half an hour later, just 200 yards from where his wife had been discovered.
Loyal dog credited with saving her life
Officials believe Lucy the Labrador played a key role in Pamela’s survival. With temperatures plummeting and heavy rain throughout the ordeal, the dog’s presence likely kept Pamela warm during the cold nights. “When the K-9 team located her, her dog was being very protective of her and even laid down on top of her chest,” Maine Warden Service Sgt. Josh Beal told WBRC. “It sounds like that’s what the dog would do at night, as well, to help keep her warm.”
Pamela, who had nearly lost hope, later told authorities that she had spotted rescue planes flying overhead multiple times on Thursday, which renewed her will to survive. As of Saturday, Pamela was recovering in a local hospital and “warming up” after her harrowing experience, Sgt. Beal confirmed.