A family vacation in Ketchum, Idaho, took a tragic turn when a freak accident left 34-year-old Natalie Franks critically injured. While hiking with her family in July, Natalie was struck by a falling pine tree, leading to a series of life-threatening injuries. Thanks to her quick-thinking 5-year-old son, Colton, help arrived in time to save her life.
Natalie, her husband Andy, and their two sons were enjoying a hike on the Bald Mountain Trail when the unexpected happened. A large pine tree suddenly snapped and fell directly on top of Natalie, leaving her unable to move. In a panic, Colton immediately began screaming and running for help. His cries were heard by a nearby couple, who called 911, initiating the chain of events that would save his mother’s life.
The impact from the tree left Natalie with numerous serious injuries, including a dislocated hip and knee, a collapsed lung, and a severed artery in her left leg. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene, stabilized her condition, and transported her by stretcher to an ambulance. She was first taken to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center before being airlifted to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for more specialized care.
Once in Boise, surgeons performed a complex operation, using veins from her right leg to repair the damaged artery in her left. However, Natalie’s injuries didn’t end there. Scans and X-rays revealed she had sustained multiple fractures, including nine broken ribs, three broken vertebrae, and a severely damaged left shoulder. Additional MRIs were needed to assess further soft tissue damage around her knee and hip.
After several days in a rehabilitation hospital, Natalie shared an update on a GoFundMe page created by her family. She expressed gratitude for the support she received from loved ones, while noting she had no memory of the accident itself. “Words can never describe the depth of my gratitude,” she wrote, thanking friends and family for their help during her recovery.
By the end of August, the Franks family had returned to their home in California. Andy shared a heartfelt message about their journey, acknowledging the ups and downs but emphasizing the family’s resilience. “We are learning to operate with a new level of grace, forgive quickly, and move forward, one day at a time,” he said.
The GoFundMe campaign, launched to assist with Natalie’s medical expenses, has garnered over $202,000 since it began. The family continues to adjust to their new reality, grateful for the outpouring of support from their community.