A woman from New York faced a life-threatening situation while hiking alone in Washington, D.C., suffering a partial skull crush but was saved by two Good Samaritans who followed a blood trail to find her.
Jack Tiettigen, who hails from Saratoga Springs, embarked on her yearly hiking expedition to Bridal Veil Falls in Washington state last week.
This seasoned mountaineer had navigated some of the world’s most perilous mountain routes, including Everest. So, her family didn’t think twice about her trek to Washington, as they said to KSL TV.
However, on February 3, Jack fell while attempting to climb the waterfall. Her sister-in-law, Catherine Tietien, believes she might have slipped and struck her head, or possibly been struck by a rock that fell.
Two other hikers stumbled upon a blood trail on the waterfall path and successfully reached Jack. She lay unconscious at the bottom of a steep slope.
“They took care of her, wrapping their coats around her to keep her warm,” Catherine shared with a local newspaper.
According to a GoFundMe campaign started by Jack’s family, she was airlifted to Utah Valley Hospital, where medical staff treated her for multiple brain bleeds, significant skull and facial fractures, along with a minortear to her carotid artery.
Catherine mentioned that Jack had to be intubated while doctors carefully monitored the swelling in her brain for several days.
“If the swelling becomes excessive, we might need emergency surgery to remove part of her skull to give her brain more room,” Catherine explained.
The family considers the two hikers who rescued Jack to be heroes, believing they played a crucial role in saving her life.
“The fact that they noticed the blood and decided to follow it… it may have saved her life. Our family is incredibly grateful. Words can hardly express our appreciation for them,” Katherine remarked.
Considering her vast experience with countless hikes, the Tietien family was shocked by Jack’s unfortunate incident.
The GoFundMe, which was just $600 short of its goal as of Sunday night, reflects Jack’s “deep love of the outdoors” and her “strong connection to nature.”
“We are determined to do everything we can to bring her back to her family and everything she cherishes,” her family wrote.
