73-year-old man survives 4 days stranded in Oregon desert

A 73-year-old man and his two dogs survived for four days after getting stranded in an Oregon desert before being miraculously discovered by a cyclist.

On July 14, Gregory Randolph was driving through a roadless canyon in a remote area of Lake County known as "the Oregon outback" when his Jeep became stuck, The Oregonian reported.

Randolph told police he spent the first night in his Jeep, then decided to start hiking to the nearest road, Oregon 140, the next day. One of his dogs accompanied him, while the other stayed by the vehicle.

The road was 20 miles away. Randolph hiked 14 miles over four days before collapsing.

On July 18, Tomas Quinones happened to be cycling in the area when he saw what appeared to be a cow laying in the road in the distance.

"As I got closer, I thought, 'that's a funny looking cow' and then I realised that this was a man," he told The Guardian.

Quinones went to Randolph's aid. Randolph was sunburned, couldn't talk or sit up, and could barely drink water, Quinones said. Quinones called for help by pressing the "SOS" button on a GPS tracking device he takes with him when cycling.

An ambulance responded over an hour later. The dog wasn't allowed in the ambulance, and Quinones said she started yelping when Randolph was taken away.

Sheriff's deputies later responded and took Randolph's dog to an animal hospital.

Police found Randolph's Jeep using a helicopter July 20. The other dog was still by the Jeep, and still alive.

Randolph spent several days in the hospital before being released.

"We are happy to report that the man and his two dogs were reunited and are back home resting after their harrowing ordeal," Oregon State Police said in a Facebook post.

“The real hero of the story is Mr. Quinones,” Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Buck Maganzini told The Oregonian. “I truly believe Mr. Randolph owes his life to Mr. Quinones.”

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