Lisa Holman Recovering From Accident

PELHAM, AL - In a story that captivated the area, the missing persons case involving Lisa Holman is coming to a happy ending. Holman was involved in a car accident on County Road 36 in Pelham Saturday morning, while on her way home to Chelsea. Holman lost control of her car on the wet road and slid down a 20-foot embankment. She suffered a broken collarbone, six cracked ribs, a fractured vertebrae, and a lacerated spleen, but managed to climb out of her car to find help.

However, her injuries being severe and the weather getting worse, she found herself lost in the nearby woods and took shelter under a rock overhang. Pelham Police Chief Larry Palmer said he believes Holman became disoriented, which caused her to get lost despite knowing the area well. It was a few hours later when family and friends started to worry after her car had been spotted and she was nowhere to be found. A search for Holman by multiple law enforcement agencies and civilians lasted into Sunday morning, when she was finally discovered by a member of a civilian search team.

More than 300 volunteers showed up at Chelsea High School Sunday morning to search for Holman, and police used drones, dogs and ATV's to conduct the search. Holman remains hospitalized and is recovering from her multiple injuries.

"We were overwhelmed by the show of support from the Chelsea community," said Chelsea High School principal Wayne Trucks. "The initial expectation was 100 people, but we ended up with almost 300. We had groups from Childersburg and Alex City as well as a huge group of students and community members. We are blessed to be a part of the Chelsea family."

Holman's family issued a statement after she was discovered:

"We would like to express our 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. They kept the family comforted and well informed while organizing the rescue efforts. We would also like to thank the following agencies who assisted in the search: 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.

"We would like to thank the literally hundreds of volunteers who offered their assistance throughout Saturday and Sunday. It was a team of these volunteers that finally reached Lisa on Sunday morning. Chelsea High School was instrumental in providing a staging area and bus transportation for the volunteers beginning at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning. In addition to those who were able to physically show up, there were literally thousands of others lifting the entire effort up through prayer. We are grateful to be part of a close-knit community that never hesitated when their assistance was needed."

Here is the statement from the Pelham Police Department:

Photo from Pelham PD