A New York Woman Rescued After Shattering Skull on Solo Hike in Washington
A New York woman’s life was nearly lost after she shattered part of her skull on a solo hike in Washington. However, she was rescued by Good Samaritans who followed a trail of her blood to find her.
Jacque Tietijen, from Saratoga Springs, embarked on a routine hiking trip to Bridal Veil Falls in Washington last week.
Despite being a seasoned mountaineer who has conquered some of the world’s most challenging peaks, including Mount Everest, the trek in Washington proved to be perilous, as her family told KSL TV.
During the hike on February 3, Jacque fell, possibly slipping and hitting her head or being struck by falling rocks, according to her sister-in-law, Katherine Tietijen.
Two other hikers on the same trail discovered a trail of blood that led them to Jacque, who was found unconscious at the bottom of a 45-degree slope.
“They took care of her, wrapped their coats around her, tried to get her body temperature up,” Katherine told the local publication.
Jacque was airlifted to Utah Valley Hospital, where she is currently being treated for multiple brain bleeds, significant skull and facial fractures, and a minimal tear of the carotid artery, as indicated in a GoFundMe page set up by her family.
She had to be intubated while medical professionals monitored brain swelling for several days, Katherine mentioned.
“If it starts to swell too much, they will have to do emergency surgery and take a piece out of her skull to give the brain space to expand,” Katherine explained.
The family considers the two hikers who rescued Jacque as heroes and believes they likely saved her life.
“The fact that they not just noticed that, but had the inclination to follow [Jacque’s blood] and to investigate, that potentially has saved her life. Our family is so grateful. There are no words to how grateful we are to those men,” Katherine expressed.
The Tietijens were shocked by Jacque’s baffling accident, given her vast experience “on thousands of hikes.”
The GoFundMe, which was only $600 away from its goal on Sunday evening, highlighted Jacque’s “deep love for the outdoors” and profound connection “to nature.”
“We know she will fight with everything she has to be able to return to her family and all the things she loves,” her family wrote.
