A mother in Michigan, her son, and her cousin survived for days in the wilderness after they became stranded on a tubing trip.

Sarah Vida and her 9-year-old son, Kayden Kovalcik, were tubing on the Muskegon River with Vida's cousin, Jazmin Hock, on Tuesday, but they failed to return from the river.

Hock's mother, Theresa Hock, became gravely concerned when she learned her daughter had missed a planned surgery on Wednesday. When Vida's car was found to be still parked at the boat launch with a broken window, police began off a multi-day search for the tubers.

On Friday, an officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources spotted footprints in the woods approximately a quarter of a mile from the boat launch. The officer then heard cries for help and managed to locate the group in the woods.

Michigan State Police Lieutenant Pat Agema told WWMT that the family was deep in the woods.

“Actually, it’s amazing. It’s a miracle they were located,” Michigan State Police Lt. Pat Agema said. “They were deep in the woods. There was nothing that was real close to them.”

Hock's mother told reporters that police officers had to cut thick brush away with a chainsaw in order to reach Vida.

Agema said that the family was worn out and in need of recuperation following their ordeal.

“They are tired and worn out. Two of them had to be carried out of the woods. They were in the wilderness for 72 hours,” he said. ”They are in rough shape, but they are alive and safe.”

All three had to be hospitalized. Kayden has been discharged, but his mother and Hock are still receiving treatments.

Following the rescue, Hock's mother learned that the trio had brought rafts to the river that were intended for use in a pool. The rafts were destroyed on the river, leaving the three stranded.

The group had Hock's phone on them when they became separated, but its battery died.

Hock said the three brought protein bars and water bottles, but the women gave them to Kayden. They survived on flowers that were floating on the water. Kayden later reportedly resorted to eating ants and bark because he didn't like the flowers.

She said the family was in good spirits when they were reunited, and said she was deeply grateful for the community's support while her loved ones were missing.