"It's a Miracle!" Teen Girl, Thought Dead after Plane Crash, Hikes through Wilderness and is Found

Aimee Herd : Jul 14, 2015
KIROTV.com

"[Autumn] survived 'because of a miracle from God, in answer to hundreds of prayers.'"

(Bellingham, Washington)—Sixteen-year-old Autumn Veatch is alive today, thanks to a "miracle," claims not just her father, David, but also the Civil Air Patrol colonel. (Photo via KIRO TV)

Autumn was riding in a small plane along with her step-grandparents, flying from Kalispell Montana to Washington. For reasons unknown thus far, the plane crashed in the wilderness of Mazama, Washington. Having survived the crash, Autumn began to hike out through the dense woods to find help.

Following a stream, the resilient teen made it to HWY 20 and was picked up by a motorist who took her to a general store in Mazama. Autumn told the store manager about her traumatic experience, and her quest to find help for her step-grandparents. She was taken to a nearby hospital.

David Veatch told reporters that he only learned that his daughter was in the plane when it went missing, and that she survived "because of a miracle from God, in answer to hundreds of prayers," according to a KIRO TV report.

Scott Graham, CEO of Three Rivers Hospital said, "Our initial information is she sustained no life-threatening injuries and is somewhat dehydrated due to being out in the elements."

Autumn had hiked for two days through the woods of the North Cascades before finding help. She credits her father for encouraging her to watch survival shows on TV as one of the reasons she knew what to do to survive.