91 Yr Old Franklin County Resident Rescued Unhurt After Trek In The Woods

March 25, 2012
ROXIE, MS - The early morning started out bright and sunny for Mrs. Lola Mae Delaney, 91 years young, as she left home yesterday morning with her daughter, Bobbie Nell Delaney, on a drive from her house to visit one of her other daughters at her camp.   At about 6:15 pm she was found and rescued in the woods with a few scratches, bruises and little dehydration but otherwise in good shape for her 91 years.   Her being found and rescued continues to be consistent with the joint efforts of  MS Wildlife Officers, Franklin County Sheriffs Deputies, the Franklin County Constable, District 5 - Fire & Rescue Searchers and the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator along with family members and other local volunteers.  

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The ordeal began when both her and her daughter apparently became confused as to the direction to her other daughters camp and they turned down the wrong road by turning one road too soon.  They drove through a locked gate where they proceeded down the timber access road until their car became stuck in a grass plot near the end of the road. 


The daughter, Bobbie Nell Delaney said "we got out of the car and walked back toward  Union Church Road and at one point my mother started away from the road into the woods."   She said she told her mother that "you are going the wrong way"  but her mother insisted that it was the right way out and continued walking into the woods.   At that point, Bobbie turned around and walked toward the Union Church Road, then walked north to Henry Lane where she was spotted and picked up by Mr. 'Clutch' Aldridge.  Mr. Aldridge then took her to her sisters camp. 


The family went back to look for Ms. Lola Mae shortly after noon but could not find her. The family continued to search but did no call for assistance until about around 4:00 pm. At that point the Mississippi Wildlife Officers, Franklin County Sheriffs Deputies, the Franklin County Constable, District 5 - Fire & Rescue Searchers and the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator  responded.  The group began the search in the part of the woods where she was seen last but found no trace.  The search then was moved to the area where the car was located and she was found in that area at about 6:15 pm.   A little more than 2 hours after rescuers were called in. 


A Medic from Rapid Response was called to the scene and concluded she was fine other than a few cuts, scratches, a little dehydration and otherwise she was "doing pretty good for her age".   Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Roger Causey brought Ms Delaney out of the woods on a 4-wheeler and reunited her with her family. 


A happy ending to an eventful day for Ms. Lola Mae Delaney.