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December 2, 2008 11:37:46 AM CST

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Calif. Rescue Was a 'Miracle'

Posted Dec 20, 07 1:03 PM CST in US 

(Newser) – When he heard the helicopter, Frederick Dominguez went running—and not a moment too soon. The helicopter was seconds from leaving the area when it spotted the barefoot running man, whose Christmas tree hunt had resulted in his family being stranded for three days on a snow-covered California mountain.  “It was nothing short of a miracle,” the paramedic on the copter told CNN.

Dominguez had arrayed branches to spell “HELP,” but the sign went unnoticed. “Had he not been moving, we would not have seen him,” the pilot said. Without food or supplies, they huddled together and sang to stay optimistic. “You just go into survival mode,” said Dominguez. “You would do anything, because these are your kids.”

Source CNN

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Frederick Dominguez talks to reporters about the rescue of his family during a news conference at Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. His daughter Alexis, 15, sons...   (Associated Press)
Joshua Dominguez, second from left, and Alexis Dominguez, third from left, are helped by authorities after they were flown by helicopter to Sterling City, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. The Dominguez...   (Associated Press)
Frederick Dominguez moves in front of a television camera as he and his three children emerge from a helicopter in Stirling City, Calif. on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007. A father and his three children who had...   (Associated Press)
Alexis Dominguez, center, is aided by Butte County Sheriff Perry Reniff, left, as she exits a helicopter with the rest of her family in Stirling City, Calif. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. A father and...   (Associated Press)
Friends and relatives of the Dominguez family wait for a helicopter carrying Frederick Dominguez and his three children to land at Stirling City, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. A father and his three...   (Associated Press)
Frederick Dominguez smiles while talking to reporters about the rescue of his family during a news conference at Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. His daughter Alexis,...   (Associated Press)
Christopher Dominguez, 18, smiles while being wheeled through a crowd of reporters after being discharged from Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Christopher, his...   (Associated Press)
Joshua Dominguez, 12, gets wheeled passed reporters after being discharged from Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Joshua, his sister Alexis, 15, and brother Christopher,...   (Associated Press)
Alexis Dominguez, 15, is wheeled past reporters after being discharged from Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Alexis, and her brothers Joshua, 12, and Christopher,...   (Associated Press)
Frederick Dominguez smiles while talking to reporters about the rescue of his family during a news conference at Feather River Hospital in Paradise, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. His daughter Alexis,...   (Associated Press)
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