Former Saipan resident found alive

In what could very well be the feel-good story of the year, former Saipan resident Joseph “Joe” Salas was found alive in the Klip Creek area of the Idaho County wilderness early Friday morning, Saipan time.

Joseph “Joe” Salas is about to be placed inside an ambulance after being found in the wilderness of Idaho County early Friday morning, Saipan time. To Salas’ right is his wife Cathy. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

That was five days after Salas was reported missing following a hunting trip and the morning after his family on Saipan all but abandoned hopes of ever seeing the 53-year-old father of two alive.

Cathy Salas, Joe’s wife, said that finding her husband last Thursday, Boise time, was the “best day ever” and that the first thing she heard from Joe’s mouth after seeing her was ““Hey, baby!”

She told Saipan Tribune over the phone yesterday that her husband is currently recuperating at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Hospital in Boise, Idaho.

She said by all indications Joe survived the cold elements relatively unscathed.

“Everything is stabilizing. He’s just being thoroughly cleaned out by the IV (intravenous therapy) so that any bacteria is cleared out of his body.”

Cathy said other than blisters on Joe’s right foot that the hospital is treating with antibiotics, her husband is “OK.”

With regards to Joe being found in a cabin, Cathy clarified that Moses Sablan parked his dirt bike in a cabin before proceeding by foot and eventually finding Joe near a creek.

She also belied reports that Joe lost his way and most of his gear after falling from a ravine, that he was listening to island music on an MP3 player, and that he was tracking an elk before getting lost.

“He did trip several times but we don’t know exactly where he lost his gear. He was not tracking an elk, too. No, he was singing a certain song by Alex Sablan in his head. How he got lost is a long story.”

As a testament to Joe’s caring nature, Cathy shared that not long after being found Joe went out of his way to ask one of the local search crew if he was all right.

Cathy added that as soon as Joe is well he would be talking to Saipan Tribune and share his amazing escape from the Idaho County wilderness.

With regards to finally eating his favorite food after being rescued, Cathy said it was a case of delayed gratification.

“Yes, he did get his wish to eat a cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake but when we got to the [hospital], the doctor didn’t allow him to eat right away because he hasn’t had food for a long time so it had to come slowly.”

Cathy said their two boys also immediately came to visit the hospital after Joe’s rescue. “Ton and Jon already visited. They’re here.”

As for family and friends back home, she said she couldn’t thank them enough for all the prayers.

“It was the prayers that sustained him all the time he was lost and he was able to emerge from the wilderness unharmed. Thank you to everyone for your prayers. Joe personally said it was the prayers that kept him alive. He never complained that it was cold out there. He just said, ‘trust in the Lord.’ He said he is still alive because of his will to survive and faith in the Lord.”

Cathy said the family is taking its cue from the hospital and Joe’s doctors as to when he will be discharged and allowed to go home. “We don’t know yet. We’re not going to rush it.”

As for Joe’s hunting career, Cathy said their sons already gave Joe their 2 cents worth on the matter. “I don’t know. Our two boys told him not to hunt anymore. Maybe he’ll just stay in the camp and he could be the cook.”

The evening before Joe was found, his eldest brother, Andrew Salas, said that experts in Boise were about to give up on the search as a cold front was about to envelope the search area.

Fighting off tears, Andrew said after much consideration he was ready to board a plane and still attempt a last-ditch search for Joe.

The Idaho County Sheriff’s office separately confirmed early Friday morning, Saipan time, that Salas has been found alive.

In a posting a little over 6am on its Facebook page, the sheriff’s office said Salas is currently en route to a medical facility. The posting added that further information would be provided once it becomes available.

Social media was abuzz over the weekend with messages congratulating the Salas family for Joe’s safe return and thanking search crews for bringing him back home.

Online fundraising efforts also exceeded original targets as the www.gofundme.com account to help the family with expenses for the search, as of 5pm yesterday, had a total of $5,680 in donations, while Joe and Cathy Salas funding at www.youcaring.com has close to $1,000 in donations.

Salas is a former president of the Saipan Little League Baseball Association, a former staff of the House of Representatives, and a former manager of a garment factory in Tanapag. He is also a former U.S. Army Ranger.