Woman survives six days in Arizona desert on grass and water after crashing her car

Car plunges down ravine and lands in a tree where it remained suspended above the ground

The woman's car was left mangled in a tree (AP)

A woman has survived six days in the Arizona desert after crashing her car into a tree by surviving on grass.

The 53-year-old, who has not been named, lost control of her car near Wickenburg, Arizona.

The car plunged about 50 feet (15 m) down a ravine and landed in a mesquite tree where it remained suspended above the ground.

The woman was seriously injured in the crash and remained in the car for several days, where she apparently ate grass to survive.

She then decided to climb out and walk towards a nearby railway line to seek help.

She only made it 500 yards (457 m) before she collapsed, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

A ranch worker, Dave Moralez, 30, and a road maintenance crew were working in the area when they saw a break in the fence near the road.

They saw the mangled car below, and when they climbed down, found footprints leading from the vehicle.

They followed the tracks and discovered the injured woman, who was severely dehydrated, collapsed on the floor.

She had suffered from broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and a head injury, Mr Moralez told a local NBC affiliate.

"I don't know if she could have made it there another night," he said.

Rescuers called for a helicopter and the woman was airlifted to a hospital.

Arizona Department of Public Safety director Frank Milstead commended the transportation workers and the rancher.

"Due to their outstanding efforts, this woman's life was saved," he said in a statement.

Agencies contributed to this report