Missing father, son found in Nevada desert

Ken Bradley, 33, and his 9-year-old son, Brian, were found by searchers Saturday night at the Buffalo Meadows Ranch, about 100 miles north of Reno.

Washoe County sheriff's Sgt. Bob Towery said they were found about 27 hours after they abandoned a four-wheel-drive truck that had become stuck in mud in the Buffalo Flats area, 25 miles west of Gerlach.

The two left behind Bradley's wife, Bobbie, 32, and two younger children to walk out for help late Friday afternoon.

"After nightfall, they became slightly disoriented," Towery said. "They spent the night in a sagebrush shelter about 300 yards off the road."

After enduring overnight lows in the 30s, the two resumed the walk across hilly terrain Saturday morning. They didn't reach the ranch, 13 miles from where the vehicle became stuck, until 6:40 p.m. Saturday.

Searchers later found the two in good condition at the ranch, where a rancher provided them food and shelter.

The other three family members were rescued Saturday morning after spending the night in the vehicle.

Towery said searchers were concerned because the father and son were not properly dressed for the outdoors, and the weather turned rainy and windy Saturday.

"This is a classic example of why you should stay with your vehicle if it ever gets stuck," Towery said.

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