An Arizona woman, 60-year-old Kyoko Runningbear, has been found more than a day after she was reported missing during a hike in the Gold Canyon area. According to a report by FOX 10 Phoenix, Runningbear left for a hike early Monday morning on the Cloudview Trailhead and failed to return, prompting a search and rescue operation by the Pinal County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).
Her vehicle was located at the trailhead, but Runningbear herself was not initially found. It was not until Tuesday morning that search teams could identify her. Deputies report that she had suffered from injuries consistent with a fall, as well as a heat-related illness. In a post on X, PCSO credited the outcome to the quick response of the Search and Rescue teams, stating, "We applaud our Search and Rescue teams along with @Arizona_DPS Ranger for their assistance." Injuries sustained during such incidents can quickly become life-threatening if not promptly addressed.
“We applaud our Search and Rescue teams along with @Arizona_DPS Ranger for their assistance,” said Sheriff Lamb “Had the victim spent any more time in the desert, we may not have had this positive outcome.”
— Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (@PinalCSO) August 13, 2024
Following her rescue, Runningbear was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. The nature of the terrain and the intense climate can challenge even the most seasoned hikers, and this incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of outdoor excursions.
Underscoring the timeliness of the search effort, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb said "Had the victim spent any more time in the desert, we may not have had this positive outcome," as quoted in PCSO's X post. The sheriff's office has not released details about Runningbear's specific injuries or her current condition. Updates will likely follow as they become available and as privacy considerations allow.
