A Mother’s Worst Nightmare by Tommy’s Mommy
My family and I have always been the type of family that enjoys the outdoors. We love to fish, camp, and hike. On July 29 2009, our camping adventure turned into a family’s worst nightmare. I got up that morning and packed peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, granola bars, and water. Our goal for the day was to hike Lassen Peak Trail and have a nice picnic lunch at the top. My son, Tommy, grabbed his Ranger Rick Binoculars. He wanted to see if he could spot Red Bluff from the peak. This was to be our third hike up to the peak in the last four years. It has some of the most magnificent views of the area as you hike up the trail, but the real reward is the view from the top. It is simply breathtaking.
We started up the trail, talking to other families as we hiked. We made several stops to drink water and have snacks. My son kept reminding me that “a hydrated Scout is a happy Scout.” Along the way, we stopped to take pictures for people and they returned the favor for us. We were getting to the last part of the trail, known as the switchbacks. My kids went up ahead of us. Tommy turned around and said, “Mommy, I am doing really good, huh?” I said, “Yes, you are, buddy.” Katrina and Tommy sat on a retaining wall and Brittany was standing up behind them, preparing to sit alongside of Tommy. As I was approaching, Katrina and Tommy were waving at me and my husband. I can remember thinking “what a great Kodak Moment.” I stopped for a moment and was about to put my camera up to take a picture when I saw the wall and my kids fall and the wall roll over them. My husband was running toward them. I threw my camera, flung my backpack off, and went running to them. I threw myself on the ground next to them. Brittany had run back down the trail and was standing there crying. I started screaming “HELP ME!!” My husband started screaming “SOMEBODY HELP US”. We screamed over and over again. People were just staring at us, not knowing what to do.
We could see that Katrina was severely injured, because she was covered in blood and had a huge gash on her head. Blood was coming out of her mouth and she started gurgling it. We told her to keep spitting the blood out. She told me later that she thought she was going to drown in her own blood. I could see only her beautiful blue eyes through all the blood. I repeatedly told her not to go to sleep and asked if she was okay. She kept giving me a thumbs up sign every time I asked. We began to believe that no one was coming to our aid, so my husband threw someone his cell phone and said, “Find service and call 911.” This was at about 12:30. Unfortunately, I could not tell how injured my sweet baby boy was. He did not have any blood on him. He started to slide down the mountain on his stomach. My husband yelled for someone to get him. People were standing on the paths above us and he started yelling for them to get off the path. He yelled, “You can kill us all…Get off the trail!”
My husband told me to hold Katrina’s head where it was bleeding and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. He then got behind Tommy and tried to keep him from going down the hill. He lifted him up and put him near me and Katrina. Tommy looked my way and said, “Momma, I can’t see.” I saw that his eyes were dilated. I said, “He has a concussion.” I remembered hearing that if someone has a concussion they shouldn’t be moved, so I told him to come next to me and put his head on my leg. My husband helped him over. I saw that he had a huge piece of flesh missing from his leg but no blood was coming from it. As I was telling Katrina to spit, I remembered that someone with a concussion should not fall asleep so I turned my head back to Tommy to tell him not to go to sleep, but he was gone. His eyes were open but he was gone. I started screaming, “HELP TOMMY, PLEASE HELP TOMMY!”. People were standing around looking at us. That is when a couple of people cleared an area next to me to start doing CPR. Brittany knelt down and touched her little brother and said, “Momma, he is cold.”
They started CPR on him. My husband and I begged Tommy to breathe. I told him, “He was surrounded by angels that were helping to bring him back to me. Come back to me!” Someone offered to walk Brittany down the mountain. I threw my cell phone to a young man and asked him to go around the corner (where there was service) and call our friend and family physician, Debbie Sutcliffe. This call was made at 1:32. He came back and said that she reported that a helicopter is being sent. People continued to work on Tommy, but they found no pulse. A minister that was hiking the trail came and said a prayer over Katrina and then Tommy. I began to beg God, “Not Today, Please Don’t Take Him Today.” I began to sing to the children, “You are my sunshines, my only sunshines…” and “Hush Little Baby”.
After hours of waiting, a ranger made it up to us. He said he had no medical training and that help was on the way. Another ranger came after that. Then a boy came and threw some of the paramedics gear over by us and said he was helping them get their gear up to us. The paramedics came and started working on Tommy. I think it was around 3:30-4:00 when a man from the helicopter said that they would be taking my daughter first. They said they were sorry, there was nothing they could do for my son and placed Brittany’s pink Tinker Bell sweatshirt over his face. My daughter, Katrina’s head was still on my right leg and I still had her head wound in my hand. They brought the sling to put her on so that she could be airlifted.
My husband was crying and hugging Tommy’s face, saying, “Oh Tommy, oh dear Tommy.” I laid my head on Tommy’s body and held him as I watched them fly Katrina away under the helicopter. I laid there holding on to him until they said the second helicopter was there to take him. They loaded him up. As we began our hike down the trail, I stopped to watch my baby boy fly off and remember thinking, “How he would have loved to have flown in a helicopter.”
It was a sad, solemn hour and half walk down the mountain. My heart hurt. My mind questioned how and why this could happen. Was my life too perfect? Was I too happy? How can this happen? My sweet little man was gone…in a matter of minutes. My life will never be the same.
23 Responses to “A Mother’s Worst Nightmare by Tommy’s Mommy”
Leave a Reply
About Tommy
On July 29, 2009, Tommy Botell was killed by a rock retaining wall that collapsed while hiking with his family at Lassen Volcanic National Forest.
Tommy's sister Katrina, was seriously injured and suffered numerous facial fractures.
Tommy was a dedicated scout, a fan of Indiana Jones, a budding adventurer and a beloved son and brother.
Tommy died in the loving arms of his mother. He was 9 years old.
This site is dedicated to his memory and keeping that memory alive.
Jennifer and Tom…this is a heart breaking story. We care for you so much and a simple I’m so sorry is not ever enough. I can’t say anything else, but you know we love you guys, and we are here for you if needed. You are so strong and the most amazing parents and people I have met.
Tom & Jennifer – I am so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you too. I look over to your house everyday and wonder how you can go on. You are all so strong and are so lucky to have such a close loving family. Remember you have a great support of caring friends. Please take advantage of all our offers and please let us know if we can be of any help in your healing process. I’m there whenever you need anything!!
Oh Jen, oh… I’m glad I read this right before it is time to go home from work so I can just cry out loud. I love you all, so much, it is all just too sad, I will come visit again as soon as I can get off work, but if you need me sooner just call and I will be there. Carolyn
I just thought that I should add that Tommy’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the chest and neck. :0(
Dear Tommy, I remember the time you, Dad, Mom, Brit, and Katrina visited me in England and we had dinner at Manor Farm. Aunt Lisa, uncle Rob and cousin Allister were there too. You had such fun playing amongst all the balls that you could sink into, and going down the slide into them all. Everytime I drive by there I think of you and am left with such happy memories. We also got to visit Warwick Castle and the Safari Park. I remember the giraffe with the sloppy tongue putting it’s head in the car window for some banana. It was such a laugh. Tommy, you will be remembered always with such love. Grandma Barbara
My heart goes out to you and your family. My son will be 9 in October…I can not fathom. My son has faced many challenges in his young life and we have almost lost him….and I have seen the life light begin to fade from his eyes….but I have him…..and you have lost your precious son and My heart breaks for you….I can not imagine your sorrow….may the God of all comfort somehow touch you and your sweet family. Words are never enough …….you family are all in my prayers……grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, friends etc etc……
My name is Gian (pronounced john) and I am Kathleen Estus Badiali’s cousin. She shared with me your story, and it touched me deeply. You are in my prayers, and I hope to meet you next time I am in California. I can’t imagine what you are going through, but your love and affection shines through in the sentiments of your friends, Kathleen and Steve, who love you and speak so endearingly of you. My prayers are with you from NY, and I thank you for being so strong. Peace be with you. Let your loss be a catalyst for your love. Love, Gian M. Starr
I am truly sorry for all the loss and suffering your family endured that day. May you heal in the comfort of God’s hand.
I am so sorry for the tragic accident your family endured on that dreadful day! I do not know you but we are all a part of God’s family and just wanted you to know that your sweet family is in our prayers. May God’s love and grace comfort you in this most difficult time!
my name is samira, i didnt know anyone in your family but i was told to read this from my cousin. Her friend told her about tommy and it reminded her of me. First i would like to say that i am soo truly sorry for what happened to your little man. tears are falling down my face as i read ur story and as i type this. I lost my 5 yr old son Anthony. I know the pain u are feeling. I have a website for him if u ever feel up to looking at it it is http://www.anthony-bowser.memory-of.com I really recommend u getting one for little Tommy. I light him candles everyday and it makes me feel good. I would love to hear back from u. my email is nasabowser@yahoo.com. Again i am sooo sorry. God is with u every step of the way. Questions u may have everyday but answers we will never get.
Samira Bowser
As a mother of a young son, your story absolutely broke my heart. I also sing “You are my Sunshine” to my boy and imagining you singing this song to him on the mountain brought me to tears, sobs really. I am unable to comprehend only getting 10 precious years with my baby and can’t begin to understand how you must feel. It sounds like Tommy lived a blessed life with a caring family. I’m so sorry that you all aren’t blessed with more time with him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for sharing your sad, sad, day.
The poem is so poignant.
I am glad that you have had happy times to remember.
Hugs, Carol & Jerry ( Carolyn’s neighbors)
Love you. Wish you were here.
I wish he was too, Britt. Did you write that from school, sweetheart?
reading that made me very sad.i hop you guys are all right.god plese help the botells.god bless you guys.
i messed up on the word please.
I, along with every other mother out there, am sitting here sobbing for you. I know that cant help or bring back your baby but I wanted you to know that your story touched me deeply and my heart goes out to your family. Im so terribly sad and sorry. His pictures depict a very happy, loved boy who had a lot of love in his life. He looks like my son who’s 10. My family will never go on that trail or to that park. I hope everyone stops going until they make it safe. Try to stay strong for each other.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Botell,
We happened on to your website and although we are strangers, we are also parents. Our hearts ache for your loss. This Thanksgiving, we will make a prayer dedication to Tommy and each of you in your family. Your website is helping others to realize what tremendous virtues there are to be found in a family such as yours. Love, strength, human kindness and sharing are all so apparent in the heartfelt writings of you and your children. We want you to know that you are thought of by others who don’t know you and are not qualified to even fully understand what you must be going through. But in sharing the intimacies of your loss it brings perspective, understanding and empathy to the forefront. We are so genuinely sorry for your loss of Tommy, but also know that the Lord surely recieved an angel on that day.
Randy & Brooks Sautner
Chico, CA
Thank you, Randy & Brooks. Your writing to us has warmed my heart. Thank you for your prayers. Make some happy memories with your children this Thanksgiving.
Much Love,
Tommy’s Mommy
Botells Family,
I came across this website from a link posted by you on Facebook (White House wall photos)
As others have posted, I do not know your family, but I understand the bond formed between a father and son. I am an eagle scout and am proud to read that your son shared some of the same adventures with his family that I did with mine. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache that comes with the loss you had to endure nor can I understand why God choose your son at that moment and at such a young age.
What I can take away from this is that it is important for us all to enjoy every moment to its fullest with our children and not take it for granted. I am a father now with two boys (4 years old and 11 months) and I hope they grow up as energetic and excited about the outdoors as your son had.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Please know that your bond and love for your son even in such a short amount of time touches us all. My family and I will pray for your daughter’s full recovery and I hope that with time your family can find peace.
Warmest regards,
Paul R.
Eagle Scout (Troop 246, West Hills CA)
I want to start off by saying I am so sorry to all who were related or knew Tommy. I remember this day, but I remember it a lot differently then everyone else. I picked up Brittany Silva and her son Austin at her mothers home around 3pm I believe that day. I was taking Britt to pick up someone in redding. Britts mother had called her sometime after and asked if she could make it the hospital that there was an accident. When we got there we waited what seemed like forever before anyone arrived. During the time we were waiting I recived a call from my Fiance, as I myself just hiked mt lassen 3 days earlier. He works for caltrans in mineral, so he and his crew cleared the roads for emergency personal. During that time he was informed that there was some kind of accident on mt lassen and someone had been badley injured. At this point it did not take long for me to put all the info together.
Neither one of us were aware of how serious things were, but knew they were flying someone out. Sitting in the er I was praying that whom ever it was, was going to be alright.
When Britts mom showed up she told us what was going on, and my heart just sank. I felt as though I was the one who was standing there being told that it was one of my children. I was shocked, and I didnt know what to do or say. She had told us that a little girl was flown down, and her brother was being flown as well. I had just met Britts mother and sisters a couple days earlier, even though I have known Britt for a while.
I remember seeing tearfilled children in the hallway scared and wanting answers. Britt’s mother asked if Britt and I could take the children back to her home.
I remember telling some of the adults in the hallway that even though I have just now met them, if they needed anything let me know and I would do my best to see to it.
After that we left, but not before Britts mother pulled us aside and said “dont tell the girls, but Tommy didnt make it”.
Once again I felt that feeling that no one should ever have to feel, let a lone a parent of a small child.
After making sure Britt and the girls were settled in, I went home to where my little men were and held them. They didnt know what was going on so I go crazy looks from them, but none the less I couldnt let them go, and I broke down.
I personally do not know your family or Tommy, but I felt your loss that day, and my heart breaks for you.
I am truely sorry for you loss that tragic day. I am however glad that your daughter pulled through. I know God was consumed with a lot of prayer that day, and we never really understand why some are not answered, but I am sure within time he will show you.
God Bless everyone of you.
Whish you all the best, this is a fenominal source for me, have bookmarked now, keep new posts comming…
That was too sad my friend and i started crying. God Bless
Megan Smith and Katie Orner