Man missing for 10 days found alive in wooded area after surviving on wild berries in California

Lukas McClish was rescued after witnesses reported hearing him “screaming for help” not far from where he was last seen.

A Californian, missing for 10 days, has been found alive.

Lukas McClish, 34, disappeared June 11 and was found 10 days later in a wooded area in California, a few miles from where he was last seen, according to the county sheriff's office from Santa Cruz.

On Friday, June 21, the sheriff's office said it received a report from “witnesses” who heard someone “yelling for help” in the Foreman Creek area off Big Basin Road, about five miles north of Boulder Creek, approximately 27 km. miles southwest of San Jose, California.

McClish was last seen 10 days earlier, wearing all-black clothing and walking on foot in Boulder Creek, the sheriff's office previously shared.

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Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department deputies, along with first responders from State Parks, Cal Fire and the Boulder Creek Fire Department, eventually confirmed the voice was coming from McClish and used drones to determine its “exact location”.

Boulder Creek Fire Protection District Chief Mark Bingham told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that the area had steep terrain and large rocks that blocked the view of rescuers, and that the thick canopy of trees also made it difficult for helicopters to see.

He noted that they used speakers to pick up McClish's voice and dropped a GPS pin indicating where she was coming from. He said two park rangers with a K9 partner were able to get a “track” of McClish from “the creek bed” where he obtained water and that the K9 led the rangers to the location by McClish.

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“State park rangers were the first on scene with Lukas, and fire crews were able to help get him to safety,” the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said on social media, adding that McClish had “no serious injuries and was reunited with his family.” .”

McClish told local newspaper KSBW that he only brought a flashlight and folding scissors with him when he left because he planned to take “a three-hour hike to work “, but eventually got lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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He said he collected water from a nearby waterfall in the canyon and drank it from his boots and ate wild berries he found to stay alive. He said he also slept on a bed of leaves, and although he often called out for help hoping someone would hear him, he also remained calm.

“I felt comfortable the whole time I was there. I wasn't worried. McClish told the outlet. “I had a mountain lion following me and it was cool. He kept his distance. I think it was just someone looking out for me.

Bingham told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that the fact that he remained alive for over a week is a testament to his survival skills: “He had a minor injury…but, for the most part, he was disoriented and lost and survived off the land, which is quite impressive to consider. talk about what a tough individual he was or is.

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