Jacksonville, Ore.– Jacksonville runner Ashley Laird, who hadn’t been seen since Friday morning, was found alive Sunday evening.
Search and Rescue crews were wrapping up a search in Forest Park off Jackson Creek Reservoir road, when the group Rick Klimek was in spotted Laird standing near the trail.
“She just popped out of nowhere really,” Klimek said. “Her father was on the team with us, and he got to find her, which was fantastic, and she was okay.”
Laird’s father immediately recognized her and confirmed her identity.
“Her dad saw her, and we all saw her about the same time, and he said, ‘Ashley?’ and hugged her, and found her,” Klimek said.
According to Jacksonville Police Department, Laird was dehydrated, disoriented and had some bumps and bruises. She was taken to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for care.
Jacksonville Police Chief David Towe said a search and rescue team member had tracked her previous running routes on a Garmin GPS that Laird had left at the house. Towe said that was the main reason why they began searching in Forest Park.
During a press conference Sunday night, Chief Towe thanked everyone who participated in the search over the weekend.
“The last number I had heard was 150 volunteers from the street,” Towe said.
Police intend to interview Laird Monday in the hospital. An update on her condition is expected to be released following that visit.
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