A college student has been rescued after being trapped in her car for nine long days on a snowbound Arizona road. The authorities reported Thursday she survived by eating melted snow and candy bars.

Lt. Jim Coffey of the Coconino County Sheriff's Office identified the student as Lauren Weinberg, 23, from Arizona State University. She was rescued on Wednesday with the help of two U.S. Forest Service officers on snowmobile patrol.

"Weinberg, reported missing since Dec. 11 in Phoenix, was discovered roughly 46 miles from Winslow," said the officer.

Weinberg was driving in northern Arizona on Dec. 12 without any particular destination. Her sedan got stuck in more than 18 inches of snow. She was trapped in a highway which is said to be a "well traveled" road during summer. "But in winter like this, it becomes impossible," Coffey said.

Weinberg used a plastic bottle which she filled with snow. She allowed it to melt in the sun and drank it. Two candy bars also helped her survive. After the rescue, she was brought by a patrol car to Flagstaff Medical Center.

"There were concerns over frostbite and the dehydration, to make sure she was evaluated. Weinberg was "very happy to be alive and appeared to be in good health," he added.

"She was released from the hospital," said Starla Collins, medical center spokeswoman.

"I am so grateful to be alive and warm," Weinberg said in a report disclosed by the medical center. "Sometimes I felt afraid, but I just kept my faith strong. I believed that they will find me."

Coffey said the Coconino Country authorities did not actively look for her based on a missing persons report filed 100 miles to the south in Phoenix.

The sheriff further clarified that the Forest Service officers found her while they were checking if the road end gates were safe.

Meanwhile in Texas, parents David and Yvonne Higgins together with the 5-year old daughter Hannah, were rescued on Wednesday. The authorities who saved the family received a call indicating that their BMC Yukon was trapped in a snow drift on a highway close to the Springer, N.M.

The three were weary while hugging each other. They were taken to the hospital in Raton, N.M.

According to Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor, the family was saved from a critical emergency. They are now recovering from their injuries.