Diluted Window Washing Fluid Keeps Valley Man Alive

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PHOENIX -- An elderly Anthem man said he survived five days alone in the desert by eating dinner leftovers and straining diluted window washing fluid to stay hydrated.

* VIDEO: Window Washing Fluid Keeps Valley Man Alive

A helicopter spotted 84-year-old Henry Morello Saturday morning in the desert north of Phoenix.

Morello, missing since Monday, was in fair condition when Maricopa County sheriff's deputies helped him out of his SUV, which Morello said got stuck in the dirt after he missed his exit on Interstate 17.

"He wound up at the Bloody Basin exit," said James Sheehan, a close friend of Morello. "Morello said he went down about 17 miles of dirt road and then turned off the road and that is where the car got hung up."

For five nights Morello fought frigid temperatures, proving with age comes some creative wisdom.

"He stayed near his vehicle and utilized some things from his vehicle to help him survive," said Randy Folts, a friend. Morello told friends he used the mats from his car to cover up with at night.

During the day, Morello found an inventive source of water.

"He took a rock and opened the hood of his car and broke the windshield wiper fluid and was using that with a napkin to keep himself hydrated," said Sheehan.

His friends said they believe it was a miracle that Morello was found in such good condition, but they said his survival skills are "Just Hank being Hank."

"He is doing fantastic, and if you know Hank, he is a survivor. That is why he survived," said Sheehan.

Friends say Morello is recovering at a Valley hospital, but they expect he will be back with them soon

(AP)PHOENIX -- Morello siad he got the idea from reading about Gatorade and antifreeze on Chiefsplanet.
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