81-year-old Survives Nearly a Week Stuck in Snowbank on California Highway
An 81-year-old man named Jerry Jouret survived nearly a week stranded in his car that was stuck in a snowbank on a desolate California highway. How did he do it? By sustaining on croissants, candy, and biscotti.
On February 24, Jouret departed from his mountain house in Big Pine, California, for his family home in Gardnerville, Nevada, which was normally a three-hour drive. While driving, he unintentionally took a smaller road and became stuck near Gilbert Pass, and temperatures in the region dropped to the teens overnight. The mathematician and former NASA employee was unprepared for the weather, wearing only a light windbreaker, and had only a light quilt and a hotel bath towel to keep himself warm. He conserved his vehicle’s gas and battery, turning on the SUV periodically to warm up.
Jouret survived by consuming the snacks he had in his car and eating snow, rolling down his window to access it. On the third day, his car battery died when he tried to roll up the electric window, and it remained open slightly for the remainder of his ordeal. Inyo County Search and Rescue received a report of a missing person on February 28, and after the storm subsided and weather permitted, helicopter crews found Jouret and transported him to a hospital for medical attention. He was discharged a few hours later, showing no signs of hypothermia.
Jouret’s grandson, Christian, hopes that his grandfather’s incredible rescue will serve as a warning to others about the hazards of winter travel. The Inyo County Search and Rescue advised drivers to be prepared for winter weather conditions, avoid passing road closures, and bring extra supplies or wait until the roads clear up before traveling.