Rescued hiker's sister says she's in the hospital on an IV and has bruises after surviving in Zion for 12 days on 'no food and a tiny amount of water'
The sister of a hiker who has been rescued in Zion after spending 12 days alone with no food and limited water says she is now recovering in the hospital on an IV, and that she has 'bruises'.
Holly Courtier, 38, was rescued on Sunday, 12 days after vanishing in the Utah park.
She'd taken the bus there for a solo hike, leaving her phone at home, after losing her nannying job as a result of the pandemic.
The mother-of-one spent the time surviving on 'no food' and 'very little water' before a tipster led to her being found.
Someone who had been in the park phoned to alert authorities - who had been searching for her - that they saw her.
When she vanished, Holly's family set up a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $15,000. They have so far raised more than $10,000.
Holly Courtier's sister Jillian on Good Morning America on Monday morning talking about her being rescued
Holly, shown with her daughter, had survived on 'no food at all' and very little water, her family said
A woman was found in a miracle rescue after going missing for two weeks in Zion National Park. @KaynaWhitworth reports. https://t.co/Goliej4NO2 pic.twitter.com/9lzogEzq0Q
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 19, 2020
A woman was found in a miracle rescue after going missing for two weeks in Zion National Park. @KaynaWhitworth reports. https://t.co/Goliej4NO2 pic.twitter.com/9lzogEzq0Q
They said they needed the money to pay for the search and for any medical expenses she'd incur after she was found because she has no health insurance.
The National Park Service led the search for her.
On Monday morning, one of Holly's sisters appeared on Good Morning America.
She did not go into detail about her sister's condition, but said she'd spoken to her on the phone.
'We're such a tight knit family. I can't imagine one person gone.
'I went out with a very experienced hiker. We actually said we're going to step off the trails, look where she could be.
'At one stage we're on the edge of a cliff, rocks are falling on us and I thought, "oh my gosh if this is my sister..."
Holly, seen above in social media photos, was described by her family as an experienced hiker. She set off without her phone and had no food with her
Holly's family is still looking for donations on GoFundMe campaign despite her being found
'I thought how could she live through this.'
She said her sister hadn't eaten 'at all' and that she survived on 'very little water'.
'The moment I talked to her on the phone she said, "I love you so much" and that was her signature thing to say to people that she loved. I said, "I'm so glad you're coming home."
The National Park Service has not shared any details as to the kind of condition Holly was found in or what medical treatment she needs.
She has a daughter of her own who helped in the search.
On an update on the GoFundMe page, her other sister - Jaime Strong - said the family would still need more money despite her being found.
'HOLLY HAS BEEN FOUND ALIVE AND WELL!
'Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone's continued support and prayers! Details on her rescue are limited right now and we will update you when we have all the information.
'Please continue sharing this page as Holly will need medical care in the days moving forward. She has no medical insurance to cover the costs and your donations will help.
'Again, my family is so grateful for your thoughts and prayers,' she said in an update.
Holly took a shuttle bus to the park on October 6. She did not take her phone with her.
It's unclear how long she intended to stay there.
A view of Zional National Park pictured above