PELHAM – After being stranded in the woods overnight, 45-year-old Chelsea resident Lisa Holman was located by search crews early Sunday morning, Feb. 11.

The ordeal began when Holman’s unoccupied vehicle was found wrecked on Shelby County 36, between Bent Creek Drive and Brasher Road, on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 10. The Pelham Police Department issued a request for the public’s help to find Holman.

According to the PPD, Holman was last seen wearing a hot pink sweater and black leggings. Surrounding law enforcement and first responders, search canines and hundreds of volunteers came together to look for Holman all day Saturday and early Sunday morning.

The Sunday morning search began at daybreak and Holman was found by a search team shortly before 8:30 a.m. Holman reportedly sustained a few broken bones and minor injuries from the car wreck.

“I want to personally thank everyone involved in the search for Lisa Holman,” read a statement from Pelham Police Chief Larry Palmer. “This was a true community effort – from surrounding law enforcement agencies, to fire and rescue, to search teams and volunteers. I also want to thank local media outlets for sharing Lisa’s story with you.

“While we are still working to piece together the events of the past few days, we do want to let you know Ms. Holman was alert when we found her, and she was able to walk out of the woods to medical professionals standing by to treat her. We are thankful to serve a community where help and support is offered at a moment’s notice. We are so happy this situation had a good ending.”

In lieu of requests for public appearances and interviews, the family of Lisa Holman opted to issue a statement to the public.

“Needless to say, the last two days have been very emotional for our family; Lisa’s rescue Sunday morning was definitely an answered prayer,” read the statement from Holman’s family. “Amazingly, she has suffered only a few broken bones and other minor injuries as a result of the accident. Her ability to withstand these injuries, the weather conditions, and the length of time in the woods is a testament to her resiliency.”

The family expressed their “deepest gratitude” to the coordinated effort provided by the Pelham Police Department, Pelham Fire Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

“They led this rescue mission not only with determined tenacity, but also with true compassion,” read the statement. “They kept the family comforted and well informed while organizing the rescue efforts. We would like to thank the literally hundreds of volunteers who offered their assistance throughout Saturday and Sunday.”

It was a team of volunteers that found Holman on Sunday morning. According to the family, Chelsea High School was instrumental in providing a staging area and bus transportation for the volunteers beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 11.

“In addition to those who were able to physically show up, there were literally thousands of others lifting the entire effort up through prayer,” read the statement from Holman’s family. “We are grateful to be part of a close-knit community that never hesitated when their assistance was needed.”

The family also thanked the Shelby County EMA, Chelsea Fire Department, Childersburg Rescue Squad, Alexander City Rescue Squad, Regional Paramedic Service, SAR K9’s of Alabama, the American Red Cross and Red Mountain Search Dog Association.