[wideawake]

A similar thing happened to a software developer in this region a few years back, I think.

Went off the highway, got lost/stuck.

He left the vehicle to find help and died. She stayed behind and lived.

[Boogieman]

“He left the vehicle to find help and died. She stayed behind and lived.”

They had snow, therefore fresh water, and shelter in the vehicle. With that, they could survive for weeks.

Out in the cold without warm clothes, you might only survive for hours. Not exactly a tricky decision there.