NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — A Sacramento woman who hasn't been seen for more than 12 days near a rural mining claim was located Friday by search crews.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a Friday afternoon Facebook post that 24-year-old Esmeralda Marie Pineda was located alive but needed medical attention.
Pineda was found early Friday afternoon on the top of a canyon near the Yuba River and Sweetland Creek in Nevada City, the Sheriff's office said in a news release. The rural area is described by the Sheriff's office as "treacherous."
She was found dehydrated and airlifted out of the area by a helicopter and then taken to a hospital, the Sheriff's office said.
“The Sheriff’s Office and our search and rescue volunteers covered extensive ground throughout our search, and we are thankful today to find her alive,” Nevada County Search and Rescue Sergeant Dustin Moe said.
Pineda was last seen at a mining claim the morning of August 26. She had been camping near the middle fork of the Yuba River and Sweetland Creek. That's between Sweetland and Sebastapol.
Pineda had last been seen wearing a black sweatshirt, leggings with a floral design, tennis shoes, and a black Swiss backpack. She was considered at-risk.
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