Firefighters Help Raise Money For Aspiring Model Who Lost Legs In Motorcycle Crash
AGOURA HILLS (CBSLA.com) — The firefighters and paramedics of Fire Station 89 in Agoura Hills have joined a fundraising effort for a woman who was involved in a horrific motorcycle accident in Topanga in February 2013.
After several surgeries, doctors told Courtney Jones' family multiple times that she would not likely survive the accident. She lost her legs, a kidney and her spleen. Her pelvis was completely shattered.
Officials said that Jones only survived because she was treated and transported in record time. Jones was treated on the ground and then flown by helicopter to the UCLA Medical Center.
She broke everything in her body, except her two arms.
After five months of intense rehab, Jones -- an aspiring 24-year-old model -- rebounded but she has no insurance.
On Saturday, Jones was reunited with her rescue team, 13 people in all.
An emotional Jones told reporters, "There is nothing I can do in this world to thank them, so much, for saving my life. They kept me here to be with my family and friends."
For the first time today, Mills said Jones took her first steps with the aid of a walker. He described her as "very determined."
The firefighters told CBS2's Greg Mills that they were lending their support to a GoFundMe page set up by Jones.
Thus far, she has raised $20,835 with a goal of $100,000.