An 81-year-old man who got trapped in a snowstorm for almost a week was forced to eat only snow and leftover croissants to survive.

A helicopter search and rescue workers in California found Jerry Alan Jouret waving from his car window on March 2 days after he was reported missing.

He was reportedly traveling in his dark green Ford Escape from Big Pine to Nevada when he got trapped because of the snowstorm.

Fortunately, he was spotted and rescued and was taken to the hospital where he was examined by medics.

Inyo County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook and shared photos that show heaps of snow covering the area along Death Valley Road where the elderly man was found.

According to Fox Weather, Mr. Jouret told his family that the main freeway was closed because of the weather so he decided to take a different route to get to Gardnerville.

But he accidentally swerved onto a smaller road where he got stuck.

The 81-year-old got trapped in his vehicle for almost a week and managed to survive by eating leftover croissants and snow.

Speaking to Patch about the ordeal, his brother Joe Jouret said: “I just really believe it was a miracle. (The helicopter pilot) was about out of gas.

“But he looked down and he saw what looked like a rock as he looked down.

“He had another man with him in the helicopter…and as they looked down there, it was [my brother’s] car. He was almost buried in snow, but not quite. He took his hand out of the window and waved it.”

Mr. Jouret’s grandson also wrote on Facebook: “After 6 days and 6 nights of being trapped in a car under snow freezing with no food, water and a very thin blanket my Grandfather was rescued today by helicopter.

“I want to thank every single prayer warrior out there and the amount of love and support for my grandfather has been mind-blowing. The power of prayer is a force that cannot be stopped.”

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