Kristen Caldon O'Neill's River Accident Recovery

Kristen Caldon-O’Neill Severely Injured (compiled from news sources)

An emergency call received at Grand Canyon National Park 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2021, reported a flash flood had swept through a group of 30 people on a commercial raft trip at Tatahatso Camp, about 38 miles from Lees Ferry where the trip launched. The camp is located about 1/4 mile downstream from Tatahatso Wash. The flood was not in the mainstem Colorado River or from Tatahatso Wash, but came over the rim above camp during a severe downpour sweeping with it much debris.

While helping rush passengers to the boats, Kristen was stuck on the back and pelvis by a boulder swept down by the waterfall, resulting in an anguished night awaiting rescue.

A rescue helicopter attempted to land three times during the storm before successfully landing paramedics to treat the injured. The storm's severity limited further search and rescue operations. One patient in critical condition (Kristen) was med evac-ed at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, and four others were evacuated by air later in the day.

One passenger reported missing, Rebecca Copeland, 29, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was found dead Thursday.

A second missing person was found uninjured Thursday morning near Tatahatso Camp.

Kristen's Major Injuries include:

--loss of her left kidney

--crushed pelvis (broken in three places)

--multiple broken ribs (including one completely detached)

--blunt thoracic trauma

--pulmonary contusions

--pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in lung arteries blocking blood flow to parts of the lung)

--deep vein thrombosis (legs)  

--Internal bleeding (She had drains in her chest and hip due to internal bleeding, and had a blood transfusion to replace lost fluid)

Surgeries:

Thursday, July 15 surgeons bolted part of her pelvis together

Monday July 19, surgeons implanted titanium plates to knit her shattered ribs

Monday July 19, surgeons bolted another part of her pelvis break

She is in more than a lot of pain, the only thing that seems to work right now is a repeated epidural.

She will be in FMC for awhile, and if all goes well, will be transferred to a rehab center for at least 4 weeks, in a wheelchair for two months, and will spend months more becoming mobile again.

Any funds raised go directly to Kristin and the costs involved in healing from this tragic accident. I have no idea what that amount will be. The former link to this site should still work.

xo Greer

You will notice this statement on the Donations Page: Previous Donations $16,398 (Offline). It's a long story of computers and what their programming will allow, but suffice it to say, here are the first five days of donors (I sure like that anonymous person!). If I left you out or mis-typed something, please let me know. And THANK YOU!

Anonymous donated $200

Anonymous donated $20

Anonymous donated $75

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $50

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $10

Anonymous donated $20

Anonymous donated $50

Anonymous donated $50

Anonymous donated $20

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $200

Anonymous donated $250

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $100

Anonymous donated $50

Anonymous donated $25

Anonymous donated $50

Karen Jacklich donated $50

Karren Brown donated $25

Katharine Bransford donated $20

Katherine Proctor donated $100

Kathleen Barry donated $125

Kathleen Birch donated $10

Kathleen Koopman donated $100

    Kristen, I met you on a rafting trip several years ago, it was one of the most adventurous things I have ever done! I was so impressed

   with your courage, vivacity and abilities! Never will forget. Much love and blessings to you for healing

Kathleen Ryan donated $50

Kathleen Wood donated $50

Kathleen Wood donated $50

Kathryn Cooney donated $50

Kelly Wright donated $25

Ki Daehler donated $100

Kim Fawcett donated $100

Kimberly Sekukski donated $100

Abby Hudson donated $50

Agatha Janissen donated $100

Alexandra Brinkerhoff donated $100

Alicia Wright donated $100

Alicyn Gitlin donated $20

Andrew Holycross donated $100

Anna Kawski donated $100

Annie and Ken Phillips donated $200

   Sending love and wishes for speedy healing ❤️

Anya Metcalfe donated $25

Laura Shearin donated $50

Laurie Parish Dyer donated $200

Leslie Baker donated $50

Linda Popelka donated $40

Lisa Urnaitis donated $20·2 d

Lori Major donated $100

Lori Major donated $100

Lucca Criminale donated $100

Barbara Tucker donated $200

Bethany Peterson donated $75

Bob Wojtalik donated $100

Brian Hinds donated $40

Bruce Jones donated $25

Maria Richards donated $30

Mark Sell donated $50

Mary C Williams donated $50

Mary L Moulton donated $25

Mary Q. Adkisson donated $25

Megan Treece donated $50

Melissa McMaster donated $100

Michael Coronella donated $100

Michaela Twarog donated $100

Carolyn Schuster donated $15

Carolyn Young donated $100

Chad Tucker donated $300

Chelsea Atwater donated $50

Chelsea Thomas donated $50

Chris Brothers donated $100

Chris Rauzi donated $20

Chris Russo donated $300

   Kristin, thank you to you and Liam for your heroic actions on our boat trip. You and Liam truly saved many lives with your swift decisions    and execution. You are a hero.

Christina Callicott donated $20

Christopher Benson donated $200

Christopher Forsyth donated $500

Cindy Appel donated $50

Claire Fuller donated $100

Clare Magneson donated $200

Cynthia a Foley donated $100

Nancy Redfern donated $100

Nancy Sendler donated $25

Ned Bryant donated $100

Owen Ludwig donated $100

Peter and Zaira Reznick donated $100

Phil Sgamma donated $50

Phyllis Hogan donated $200

Rachel Heydorn donated $100

Randal Fox donated $100

Rebecca Diehl donated $100

Robert French donated $25

Robert Hallett donated $200

Dakota Copeland donated $50

Dan Turner donated $25Hang in there!

David B. Carrothers donated $25

David Zickl donated $100

DeeAnn Tracy donated $50

Denice Napoletano donated $150

Dirk Pratley donated $200

Donna McCready donated $500

Dudley Friskopp donated $100

Sandra Tann donated $150

Scott Frost donated $200

Scott McKell donated $100

Sharon Hester donated $200❤️

Shawn Skabelund donated $100

Sheila Anders donated $50

Shelly Stearns donated $100

Sheri Hughes donated $25

Sierra Hartman donated $25

Sindri Azpeitia donated $100

Starla Clarke donated $100

Stefanie Wessel donated $100·2 d

Steve Scearce donated $40

Steven Klefstad donated $100

Susan Lowry donated $100

Elisabeth Kirkwood donated $300

    A friend of Colter’s is a friend worth helping out. Stay strong out there. Sending good healing vibes from CA

Elizabeth Aurnou donated $200

Elizabeth Choy Myers donated $100

    I was on a river trip a few years ago with Liam as an assistant. My husband is Lynn Myers. Azra river guide retired. Liam spoke of you

  often. Please get better.

Elizabeth Harter donated $100

Ellen Brennan donated $50

    Kristen, I am thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Emily Ambrose donated $100

Emily Dale donated $100

Emily Omana donated $50

Emily Thompson donated $75

Erin Brugler donated $100

Etsuko and Matthias Kawski donated $300

Gerald M Huffman Jr donated $25

Gina Dazzo donated $20

Taylor and Kelly Carlin donated $100

Terri Merz donated $50

Theresa Ellis donated $100

Thomas Hoctor donated $20

Thomas Phelan donated $100

Timothy and Kathryn Quigley donated $200

Tom Olsen donated $200

Tracy Pinnella donated $300

Tyler Sell donated $100

Henry Karpinski donated $100

Howie Hearn donated $75

Vincent Coley donated $50

Jacqueline Hartman donated $50

Jake Coggin donated $100

Jason Hasenbank donated $100

   Godspeed Kristen and Liam!

Jason Mackelprang donated $100

Jeff Whitacre donated $200

Jennifer Hamilton donated $100

Jennifer Robinson donated $400

Jerry Cox donated $100

Jessica Pope donated $100

Jill Holbert donated $100

Jim Knaup donated $50

Jimelia Talasyousiea donated $25

Joan Fryxell donated $50

Joel Dugdale donated $50

John Vonk donated $50

Joni Badley donated $200

Joseph Bennion donated $60

Joseph Tinsley donated $250

Julia McCullough donated $50

Julie A Sullivan donated $50

Julie Mitravich donated $100

Julie Schleck donated $50

Wendy Gontram donated $100

William O Sivitz donated $50

William Vernieu donated $50