Couple in Oregon stranded in snow thanks to GPS

Reno, Nevada residents John Rhoads, 65, and wife Starry Bush-Rhoads, 67, were stranded in the harsh Oregon snow for three days before their cell phone got a strong enough signal to call a dispatcher. The reason for their predicament? Their GPS system led them the wrong way, down a remote road in the forest.

The irony comes in the fact that the cell phone that saved them was also GPS-enabled. Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said "GPS almost did 'em in and GPS saved 'em. It will give you options to pick the shortest route. You certainly get the shortest route. But it may not be a safe route."

A deputy found the couple in the Winema-Fremont National Forest, near Silver Lake on Sunday afternoon. They had stashed plenty food and water to be OK for the few days they were stranded. Evinger continued: "Their statement was, being prepared saved their life."

E-mail to Friend

Comments

Mashtali @ Tuesday, Dec 29, 2009 @ 12:12:15 PM

Two things bother me about this, first of all being as sensible as this couple seem to be what possessed them to leave a main highway in the dead of winter? More to the point though was what is wrong with the GPS that it took a route that could not possibly have saved a significant distance over following the main highways. I have to think they plugged some extra info into their route to even end up in Silver Lake. I haven't tried Map quest, but Yahoo takes you over the Willamette pass and then down 97, but if you follow I-5 into Ca and cross on 89 etc it takes you a whole 9 minutes and 35 miles more and most likely is a much more pleasant trip unless you like dodging semis on 97