Stranded Nev. man "jumped into action" to save family

SAN FRANCISCO -- The family's story of survival during sub-zero nights in Nevada's high desert begins with a father's decision to stay close to their overturned Jeep.

"The father jumped into action, knew that they had to stay warm, and the first thing he did was build a fire," said emergency room Dr. Douglas Vacek.

  "Jay was heating up rocks in the fire and at night he was putting them in the jeep with them. Keeping them warm," said Montes.

Searchers had started to fear the worst when the hunt stretched through two nights with temperatures as low as -16 degrees. 

The rugged, open terrain has only sporadic coverage for cell phones, too weak to put through a call, but a signal from McIntee's phone was picked up at one cell tower, helping searchers focus on a smaller area.

"Two adults and the four children were found alive and well," said Machado.

Residents cheered as two youngest children, bundled together on the same stretcher, arrived at the local hospital.

James Glanton and three children remain in the hospital. They are being treated for mild dehydration but are doing well. 

John Blackstone

From his base in San Francisco, CBS News correspondent John Blackstone covers breaking stories throughout the West. That often means he is on the scene of wildfires, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and rumbling volcanoes. He also reports on the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley and on social and economic trends that frequently begin in the West.