In a turn of events that the family is calling a miracle, Bay Area native Samuel Vengrinovich has been found alive after going missing during a hike in the Himalayas. According to SFGATE, Vengrinovich, 44, was supposed to return from a two-day hike near Dharamshala, India, last Monday but failed to do so, prompting a search that lasted nine days.
Vengrinovich, who had moved to Israel about 15 years ago and currently resides in Jaffa, was vacationing in India when he embarked on a hike to Mount Triund with a group of newly met hikers. His sister Natasha Vengrinovich told SFGATE, "His tent and a majority of his clothes and his phone are still at the campsite." She added he had only "a day of food" with him when he began the hike. Though the conditions for the glacier hike were very harsh, Vengrinovich was not equipped with the right gear for such an excursion.
The family's relief was palpable when they updated the GoFundMe page, announcing that Samuel had been located. "Samuel faces significant medical care and hospitalization for his injuries," they shared in an update that included a photograph of a disheveled and lean Vengrinovich. As of now, the specifics of his condition or the circumstances of his rescue have not been disclosed. The family continues to raise funds for emergency medical care, paying search-and-rescue teams, and arranging flights to reunite him with loved ones, as confirmed by both SFGATE and the GoFundMe page.
Meanwhile, his sister Natasha shared with KTVU, how their mother is a "desperate wreck" and their father has been "awake day and night," as they feared for Samuel's safety. Family friend Manuel Guzman Kizer also shared with KTVU, that Samuel did not have the right equipment for the hike's demanding conditions. While the family has expressed profound thanks for the support, they continue seeking donations to cover the ongoing medical expenses and logistical costs associated with Samuel's recovery and reunion with his family. They urge the public to keep sharing and donating, in a bid to alleviate the "immense financial burden of this life-saving mission."
