Houston woman missing at Big Bend National Park found after a week, park rangers say

Friday, November 17, 2023
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas (KTRK) -- Eyewitness News obtained video Friday evening showing search crewmembers helping a missing Houston hiker off of a helicopter and out to an awaiting ambulance.

The hiker, 25-year-old Christy Perry, was found alive earlier in the day at Big Bend National Park after rangers said she vanished a week prior.
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In a video taken by Jeremy Hillary, the woman wearing a yellow helmet appears slow to move as she's helped by a person on each side of her.

Houston hiker seen being helped out of helicopter and out to ambulance


The National Park Service said she was being taken to an Odessa, Texas, hospital for observation.

Authorities did not specify where in the 1,200-square-mile national park she was located, but NPS photos show crews on a steep incline as part of the search Friday.

National Park Service



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According to the NPS, Perry's family reported that she did not return home from her trip.

A close family friend confirmed with ABC13's Jiovanni Lieggi on Thursday that Perry didn't tell anyone the details of her itinerary but did appear to be there on a planned vacation.



The NPS added Perry picked up a rental car in Midland, Texas, and arrived in Big Bend National Park on Nov. 9.
The park service said she never showed up for her camping reservation that night at the Chisos Basin Campground.
Perry's vehicle was later located at the trailhead for the Lost Mine Trail.
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According to the park service, this trail climbs steeply through the woodlands of the Chisos Mountains.

Park Rangers and U.S. Border Patrol agents searched the trail, with multiple airplanes utilized from above.



The Texas Game Wardens, Los Diablos fire crew, and other agencies are assisting in search efforts.

The trail is currently closed until further notice.
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