4-year-old, grandparents missing on Christmas tree trip found safe, Oregon sheriff says

A couple and their 4-year-old granddaughter have been found safe after going missing on a holiday trip to the Willamette National Forest in Oregon to find a Christmas tree, authorities say.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter assisting in the search spotted their Toyota Matrix shortly before noon Wednesday, The Oregonian reported.

The vehicle had become stuck in an area of downed trees and heavy snow, but the family had a blanket, tarp, water, snacks and warm clothing, according to the publication.

Searchers had been seeking Sharon Poitra, 61, and Gregory Poitra, 63, of Eugene, and their granddaughter, Zelda Sudhoff-Clements, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

They were reported missing Monday when Zelda’s mother arrived to pick her up and discovered they had not returned from a Christmas tree-cutting trip, officials say.

“Due to inclement weather, cold temperatures, and challenging terrain,” sheriff’s officials had asked community members not to head into the forest to join the search,according to the release.

This story was originally published December 23, 2020 at 3:28 PM with the headline "4-year-old, grandparents missing on Christmas tree trip found safe, Oregon sheriff says."