Sunnyvale Air Force Doctor, Friend Recount Shasta Survival Story
SUNNYVALE (KCBS) – The amazing story of a Sunnyvale man and his friend, an Air Force doctor, is coming more into focus after they survived a hiking accident in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest last week.
Jeremy Kilburn, an Air Force doctor, was hiking with his friend, Dan Grasso of Sunnyvale, in a remote part of Shasta-Trinity National Forest last week when he fell, badly breaking his leg. They had to radio for a helicopter airlift.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
"I heard all these stories about these rescues and I never thought I'd be in this position," Kilburn said. "And then all of a sudden, everything changed."
After the California Highway Patrol chopper landed, a rotor blade struck the paramedic as he was exiting. Grasso knew what he had to do next.
"I ran up the hill and said, Jeremy, something terrible has happened. One of the CHP guys is down on the ground," said Grasso. "And the first thing Jeremy said is get me down there."
With his friend's help, Kilburn hobbled to the paramedic and managed to patch him up, all while suffering from a broken leg.
"I had so much adrenaline going through that I literally forgot about my leg except for when I tried to get into the helicopter," said Kilburn.
Both men were flown out and are now being treated for their injuries. Kilburn said he doesn't consider himself a hero and still feels distraught over putting the paramedic in harm's way.
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