Great Neck Woman Pinned Under Tree: I Didn't Think I Was Going To Make It
GREAT NECK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Great Neck woman who was pinned under a 5,000-pound oak tree was released from the hospital Friday.
The tree smashed into Stephanie Epstein's bedroom just after midnight Monday.
"It sounded as if a bomb hit the house," Epstein's father, Geoffrey, said.
The 20-year-old college student was asleep when the 85-foot-tall tree unexpectedly fell into the second story of the Wooleys Lane East home and into her bedroom, police said.
"Get this tree off of me" #greatneck woman says she didn't think she would live #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/q4N4eLNo50
— Mona Rivera (@iMonaRivera) July 31, 2015
"I honestly did not think I was going to make it," Epstein told reporters at North Shore University Hospital. "How the heck did I survive this?"
Epstein was trapped, unable to breathe and going into shock.
A volunteer paramedic, who lives directly across the street, came running to help save Epstein's life.
"We were worried about compartment syndrome," Great Neck volunteer paramedic Steven Blocker said. "The problem with the tree was that it was an inverted pyramid."
Compartment syndrome is life threatening -- pressure building up in the legs, abdomen and arms, decreasing blood flow, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
"The pressure in my legs, I was losing feeling slowly," Epstein said.
Stephanie Epstein miracle survivor of tree that fell on bed in #GreatNeck about to speak #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/dRiipEXYmQ
— Mona Rivera (@iMonaRivera) July 31, 2015
Epstein was trapped under the tree for at least two hours until crews could remove the massive limb.
"I was trying so hard to breathe, I was shutting my eyes hoping that would help time pass and begging everyone, 'Get this tree off me, please,'" Epstein said.
Epstein said being a side sleeper and guardian angels helped save her life.
"I cannot express in words how thankful I am for everyone who saved my life," Epstein said. "From the firefighters, to the police officers, to Steve, to the doctors, to the paramedics, without them I wouldn't be here and I didn't think I was going to make it."
Epstein does not have any broken bones, but will need to use a walker until she fully recovers.
"It's a miracle case because as you see Stephanie is going to be walking out," Dr. Matthew Bank said.
The Epstein family will be staying with relatives because their home is uninhabitable.
Epstein hopes to recover enough to be return to Binghamton University next month.
As for the tree, investigators believe it was weakened by Superstorm Sandy and a microburst that slammed through Great Neck the year before.