News release Coos Co. Sheriff’s Office. On November 7, 2016 at about 8:46 PM the Coos County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person in the Davis Creek area off of Highway 101, in the County Forest. It was reported that 39-year-old Anna Gray of Coos Bay had gone mushroom picking in the area. Ms. Gray had been dropped off by a friend at about 4 PM and was going to call when she was finished picking mushrooms. When she did not appear at the point to be picked up on the roadway after two hours the reporting party, Kelly Hribar, 39 YOA of Coos Bay called the Coos County Sheriff’s Office to report her missing. Deputies assisted by the Bandon Police responded to the area and began a search operation. Upon getting a description of the clothing worn by Miss Gray it was determined that she was prepared for an evening out in the brush. She had with her warm clothing, food and water, and minimal survival supplies. Efforts were made through the State SAR Coordinator to have the US Coast Guard fly their helicopter overhead to look for Miss Gray but it was determined that the canopy of the forest would prohibit the full use of their equipment. It was determined that the Coast Guard would be called at daylight. The stage was prepared for a search operation to begin at daylight by the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies, aided by a civilian friend searched the edges of the forest but were unable to locate any sign of Miss Gray. However, at about 11:45 PM deputies made one last attempt to call her by voice. This time they were successful and located her struggling through the reproduction forest and briar bushes to get to a safe location. Utilizing flashlights and voice commands deputies were able to guide Miss Gray to the edge of the forest and walk her back to the patrol vehicles. Medical personnel from Greenacres Fire Department and Bay Cities Ambulance responded and checked her out medically. It was determined that although suffering from cold she had no other injuries. She was released and transported to her home by about 12:45 AM. Kelly Hribar, the friend who reported Anna Gray missing, was found to have a felony warrant for his arrest for Failure to Appear on a Citation and Theft by Receiving. He was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail. Law Enforcement Officers are commanded by the courts to arrest any person with an active warrant. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those going into the woods, whether mushroom picking, hunting or recreating to have minimal supplies to aid them should they become lost. Fire building supplies, water, cell phone, flashlight and information left with friends or family on your itinerary should be a minimum effort. Dress for the weather of the day…and night. Often search operations do not begin until daylight the following day due to hazards and marshalling of resources. Remember, if you have a smart phone calling 911 when lost may pinpint your location. However, more often than not those who become lost do so in rugged areas without cell phone coverage.
