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McCoy, Colorado—A 75-year-old woman demonstrated incredible resilience after crawling for nearly 14 hours across challenging terrain with a shattered femur to reach help. Charlene Kirby, a retired paramedic and ER nurse, was tending to her property between Vail and Steamboat Springs when the trailer she was hauling jackknifed, ejecting her from her vehicle. Recognizing the severity of her likely femur fracture, Kirby knew the risks, especially given her age.
Despite the danger of moving with such an injury, Kirby decided against waiting for rescue in the remote area. Around 7 p.m., she began the arduous journey toward her home, crawling for 14 hours through rough terrain, rain, and dropping temperatures.
With no cell service and miles from help, Kirby’s determination pushed her forward. “I knew I had to keep moving,” she said.
“If I stopped, I wouldn’t make it.” She endured the grueling crawl, battling concerns about potential wildlife encounters and the onset of shock or hypothermia.
Her ordeal finally ended when she reached her property, where her dog alerted her son, who arrived earlier than usual. Initially fearing the worst, he quickly called for an ambulance. Kirby underwent emergency surgery at Vail Health Hospital and remarkably recovered in time to attend her son’s wedding.
Kirby, a respected member of the local community and a former first responder herself, maintains a positive outlook despite her harrowing experience. “I’m lucky,” she stated.
“It could have been a lot worse.” She remains committed to her property, acknowledging the challenges of its remote location while emphasizing the rewarding aspects of her rural lifestyle.