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Hiker Found After Being Missing For 9 Days Recovering From Surgery

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - The family of a woman who was rescued after being stranded in the rugged Sierra Nevada for nine days says she is recovering from surgery to set the broken bones on her lower left leg.

Miyuki Harwood's family says in a statement Sunday that she is asking for "uninterrupted rest and quiet."

"Miyuki would also like to thank all of her friends, and even the people she doesn't know, for the outpouring of concern and prayers on her behalf," the family wrote.

The 62-year-old Harwood was found Saturday morning in a remote area of the Sierra National Forest after she used a whistle to get the attention of a search and rescue team looking for her.

Authorities say she survived by dragging herself to a creek and using a water filter to drink from it.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Department says more than 50 search and rescue personnel who helped search for Harwood were safely airlifted from the area Sunday.

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