This missing person story has a happy ending. On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Penny Kay Clark went to run some errands. When she didn’t return, her family became concerned and reported her missing to the Nampa Police Department in Idaho. Four days later two good Samaritans spotted a car they thought might be Penny’s and called it in.
Their actions lead to Penny’s rescue. She was found near her vehicle and it is believed she had been stuck there for days. She was eventually airlifted to a nearby hospital where it is expected she will make a full recovery.
When authorities got to the scene, Penny’s car was found 200 yards down a canyon wall near Map Rock and Rim roads. Emergency personnel spotted her 40 feet below the car. Because of the tricky terrain, they decided to pursue the rescue on foot. Life Flight Network, Nampa Police Department, Upper Deer Flat Fire, Melba Fire, Canyon County Paramedics, Idaho Fish & Game, Canyon County Sheriff's Office, and others all worked together to make this rescue happen.
When the rescuers reached Penny, she was alert and conscious. It took two hours to carry her out of the ravine. She was stabilized by on-site medical personnel then airlifted by a Life Flight Network helicopter to a local hospital.
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Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue was grateful for this positive outcome. "This is frankly one of the most miraculous incidents that I can recall in all my years in law enforcement, and it’s a true testament to the strength and fortitude of Penny Clark,” he said. “The medics who evaluated her on scene believe that she had been there for at least a couple of days, and more than likely since Tuesday when her family last had contact with her. It’s truly a miracle, and I’m hopeful that she makes a full recovery. I want to thank all of the agencies who assisted us today, particularly Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, for their efforts in bringing Ms. Clark to safety. I’d also like to sincerely thank the two men who came upon the vehicle and had the wherewithal to determine that it was likely connected to the missing person reported by Nampa PD. This was a true team effort.”
