Family Survives Two Nights Lost In The Woods On Halloween Candy And Rain Water

Drew Mikkelsen / Via Twitter: @drewmikkelsenk5

A Washington family found safe on Thursday said they survived two nights lost in the woods by eating the Halloween candy their toddler found in their stranded van.

Jason and Melissa McAlister and their two children, aged 8 months and 2 years, were reported missing after they failed to pick up their two older children, who are 5 and 7 years old, after school Tuesday.

Carlene Johnson / Via Twitter: @CarleenOnKOMO

"Everybody is good. God's great. We're happy to be alive," Jason McAlister, 33, said at a news conference Thursday.

The family got stuck in the woods while they were sightseeing in Mason County, a rugged area southwest of Seattle, and the road gave way as they tried to drive around a fallen tree.

"This one was a trooper," he said of his 2-year-old daughter. "She was rooting around in the van, finding all kinds of Halloween candy."

Jay Johnson / Via AP

The family attempted to walk out of the woods the first day around 1 p.m., but ended up having to sleep in a lean-to shelter he built along the side of the road to stay out of the wind as temperatures dropped into the 30s.

"It actually kept us warm, considering I didn't have a fire going," he said.

The following day, they returned to the van and attempted to dry their clothes with the heater. They listened to the radio and were encouraged to learn search parties were looking for them. The family slept inside the van that night for warmth.

The next day they began walking out again, tearing large pieces of paper and leaving them on the ground in hopes rescue teams flying over head would spot them.

Later that day, they were finally discovered by hunters who knew about the missing family because of the media attention and helped drive them to meet medics.

Steve Shumate, chief criminal sheriff's deputy in Grays Harbor County, told the Associated Press it was an immense relief to find the family.

BuzzFeed News has reached out to Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office for more information.

"They did an excellent job keeping their cool and staying dry and warm," Schumate told AP, adding that he hoped had learned their lesson and planned to get a cell phone.

For his part, McAlister told reporters he probably won't get a cellphone since there's no reception where he lives. Next time, though, he would drive the truck when taking his family on an adventure.

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