Mother, Son Rescued After Stanislaus Forest Ordeal

A 49-year-old mother and her 9-year-old son were rescued after becoming stranded in the remote Stanislaus National Forest, California, while heading to Camp Wolfeboro. Their GPS lost signal and their car became stuck, forcing them to spend the night in the vehicle. The pair left handwritten notes at intersections, turned on the car's hazard lights, and the boy used a whistle to signal for help, actions which were crucial in their rescue. Search and rescue teams, alerted by the family's use of a location-sharing app and tips from campers, located the pair about a mile from the first note. Due to poor cell and radio service, rescuers used HAM radio for coordination. Authorities stressed that advance notification of their travel plans was key to the timely rescue.