A five-day outdoor conference turned into a lesson in lifesaving for eight Dubuque, Iowa, school officials.
While participating in a Utah wilderness program, the Iowans, along with 20 other educators from other states, came across a stranded prospector who had been living along the banks of the Colorado River.John Thomas, 37, lived on the bank of the river for almost two weeks, eating mice and lizards, before he was found by the group.
He told them he damaged his boat on the rocky rapids and had to set up camp on the shore.
He was discovered Sunday by Scott Gill, a Dubuque administrator.
Gill ran to attend Thomas, who was semiconscious and unable to talk, said Nancy Bradley, a Dubuque elementary school principal.
The group decided to stay with Thomas, sending three experienced people downstream for help.
Around 2:45 a.m. on Monday, a helicopter landed near the camp, Bradley said.
Thomas was loaded onto the helicopter. But before he left, he kissed Patrice Lambert on the cheek and thanked her. Lambert is director of nursing services for Dubuque schools and took care of Thomas, Bradley said.
Bradley said the educators learned Tuesday that Thomas had been treated and released from a local hospital.