Woman survives night in wilderness with dirt, breast milk

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (KABC) -- A New Zealand woman who got lost in a forest during a trail run survived a night in the wilderness by covering herself in dirt and drinking her own breast milk.

Susan O'Brien was competing in a 12-mile run in the Orongorongo Valley. Her family raised the alarm when she didn't appear at the finish line on Sunday morning.

A large search was organized, but rescue crews were not able to locate her before nightfall.

The 29-year-old was rescued by helicopter nearly 24 hours after she'd first been reported missing and more than two miles off course. She had been dressed only in running gear.

"I just didn't want to give up. I was determined to get back to my family. That was only thing keeping me driving. Then it made me realize in life that nothing else matters but my family," she said.

After a short flight, O'Brien was reunited with her family, including her 8-month-old daughter, Meisha.