New Zealand hiker who was injured in Joshua Tree National Park returns to visit her rescuers
A hiker who was missing and injured for several days in Joshua Tree National Park returned to the area to visit the officers who rescued her.
According to her GoFundMe page, on May 22, 2018, Claire Nelson, of New Zealand, was hiking at the park when she slipped on a boulder and fell 15 feet. Nelson was unable to move and because she was house sitting for an absent friend, no one knew where she was.
Claire was finally reported missing several days later on May 25. Several hours after the missing persons report was filed, helicopters were able to find Claire thanks to a signal she was able to make.
Read: Missing hiker found alive at Joshua Tree National Park
A ranger on scene said Claire was found with a shattered pelvis. She was airlifted to a hospital and successfully underwent surgery.
Today, Claire returned to the valley and visiting the officers who rescued her, according to a Facebook post by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. She met with pilots of CHP helicopter H-60 Eric Bashta and Manny Romero, along with several officers who helped.
“Rarely do we get to follow up with the victims we have rescued over the years. It was a happy day of positive emotions for all of our crew members to see what happens after a major incident. Claire will always have a special place here with us,” the post on Facebook read.
The latest update on her GoFundMe page was six months ago. In it, Claire mentions that while she finished physical therapy, pain was still an issue.
