A Washington man, his wife and two of their children were reunited with the rest of their family on Thursday after being stranded on a logging road for two days.
Jason McAlister and his wife Melissa went on a drive Tuesday morning in his van with two of their four daughters, ages 2 years old and 9 months old.
The family was reported missing after the McAlisters’ 7- and 8-year-old daughters were brought home from school by bus Tuesday.
When no parent came to get them, the driver returned the children to the bus barn and school officials notified the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.
Jason McAlister said Thursday said he drove the van on a dirt road weakened by heavy rain. The road gave way and the van was stuck.
He used a coat to build a small shelter for the family when they tried to walk out the first day.
But they were forced to head back to the van Wednesday morning where they spent the night, running the engine for warmth.
“Sat in the van all day yesterday just with the heater and listening to the radio,” McAlister said.
The family was able to hear news reports that searchers were out looking for them, but they had no cellphone to call for help.
Thursday morning they tried walking out again, and this time they were found by two hunters.
“I figured if I could get back out to the main road we’d find some help,” McAlister said. “Halfway down the road hunters were coming up.”
McAlister's parents, Mary and Bob, drove from Montana after hearing the family was missing.
"We just want to see them all back together, all six of them,” Mary McAlister said.
Jason McAlister said he was grateful that people cared about him and his family.
“I want to thank all of the search and rescue people that were out looking for us,” he said.
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