Woman survives 6 days in Sierra Mountains

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CARSON CITY, Nev., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A Nevada woman was in stable condition Friday, recovering from six days stranded in the Sierra Mountains, authorities said.

Paula Lane, 46, of Gardnerville was taken to Carson-Tahoe Hospital in Carson City, Nev., after her rescue Wednesday night, KCRA-TV, Sacramento, reported. Her brother discovered her sheltering in a hollow tree.

"She was one very lucky person," Dr. Vijay Maiya said.

The hospital said Lane had minor frostbite and could be discharged Sunday.

Lane and boyfriend, Roderick Clifton, 44, of Citrus Heights, Calif., got stuck in a snowdrift near Lake Tahoe when they decided to go offroad Nov. 29. Clifton left Lane in their Jeep and went to get help but died in the snow. She found his body when she tried to reach the road.

The Jeep was covered in snow when searchers found it, and authorities said Lane was fortunate to leave when she did.

"Before they went on their excursion, they had stopped by some family members' houses and apparently, they had gotten some tomatoes. She sustained herself on tomatoes and snow," Maiya said Thursday at a news conference.

Lane's brother, Gary, decided to head out to search late Wednesday even though his family advised him to wait until morning.