Hiking Tragedy Through My Eyes By Katrina
Tommy & his Big Sis Katrina
My family and I were hiking up Mount Lassen on July 29. We had befriended a few families while hiking and had just met a man about two miles up the mountain who was going to ski down the mountain. After talking to him we hiked farther up and watched the man ski down the mountain from a distance. I got a sudden burst of energy and decided to get ahead a ways so that I could stop and take a break later when I got out of breath. My brother, Tommy, came with me. After a while, I stopped and sat down on the side of the path and put my bag down behind me. Tommy, who had lagged behind a ways, was coming up the path and I swung my legs over the side of the retaining wall to face him. He looked like he was bracing himself to climb the wall to sit by me and I started laughing and told him to go around. He looked up at me and smiled. Then he rounded the corner, sat down next to me and swung his legs over the side too. He was so happy with himself to get this far and had a huge smile on his face. We watched our mom, sister, and dad who was carrying our dog, Bear, climb the path. I looked down to change the song on my iPod and when I looked up I saw my sister round the corner. She pointed at a few small rocks rolling out from under the retaining wall and said, “Look a mini avalanche.” A ways behind her my mom and dad were waving and we waved back.
My sister was about to sit down next to Tommy when I heard a scream and felt myself being flung forward. I closed my eyes and when I opened them again I was on my side facing the mountain. I couldn’t feel anything. In seconds my dad was there and he rolled me onto my back. I heard him screaming franticly “Somebody help us!”. Then my mom was there holding my head. The only thing I could see was my dad covered in my own blood and one of my brother’s feet. All of a sudden, the feeling came back to my body and I realized I was drowning. My mom and dad realized this at the same time and tilted my head up so that I could spit out the blood. I looked over at Tommy and saw that he was in a fetal position, screaming and kicking my leg. My sister, Brittany, came down to where we were, crying hysterically. My dad started yelling, “Get off the wall!” while my mom yelled “Help us!” Then my dad looked down at me and asked me if I was ok. I realized I could move my arms and legs and gave him a thumbs up. I heard Tommy say, “Mommy, I can’t see.”
Finally, a few of the people around us came to help. Tommy, who had started to slide down the mountain, was pulled back up so that they could begin CPR. I heard that someone was going to lead Brittany down the mountain and she left. My dad repeatedly told me to spit the blood out at him and asked if I was ok. Each time I would spit and give him a thumbs up. The pain in my face was overwhelming. After a while I started to get worried that I might have brain damage so I started doing the multiplication tables and a few songs that I learned in forth grade in my head to test my memory. I stopped when I heard a horrible gurgling sound coming in Tommy’s direction. I realized that it was because they were doing CPR. The noise still really scared me.
Finally, I don’t know how long later, the helicopter came. I heard someone say to my mom, “We’re going to take your daughter up first.” I felt relief that I could finally be taken to the hospital and scared for my brother. They lifted me onto a sling and strapped me in well. They didn’t cover my eyes though, so as the helicopter flew away I could see the mountains and the sky around me. I was slowly lifted up beside the helicopter where I stayed for the rest of the trip. When the helicopter landed I was rolled over and put into the next one. In that helicopter they numbed me and I felt so much relief that I started to fall asleep. The people in the helicopter made sure I stayed awake and every time my eyes would drift closed they would tell me to open them and to stay awake.
We eventually landed and I was rolled into the hospital. I heard someone ask “Do we know who she is?”. Then, they started repeatedly guessing and asking me what my name was. I tried to tell them but everything came out as mumbles. They put staples in my head, and stitches and needles in my arm. Eric Rudnick, a family friend, came after a while and asked me if I knew who he was. I mumbled a response and they seemed to take that as a yes. I kept throwing up blood and they tried sticking tubes down my throat, but I gagging on them. Then I had a cat scan done and was rolled into another room where I spent the night. That night was hard. My nose was clogged up so I had to use my mouth to breath. I had so much blood still in my mouth that I sounded like I was gurgling mouthwash as I breathed. I woke up hourly and was constantly poked with needles.
Morning finally came, and my mom and dad came in to see me. It took almost all of my energy just to choke out, “Happy Birthday Daddy.” He smiled at me and looked like he was about to cry. I turned to my mom and asked “How is Tommy?” She looked depressed and said that he was lifted away in the helicopter. That’s when I realized that he was gone.
24 Responses to “Hiking Tragedy Through My Eyes By Katrina”
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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.
Katrina, what a brave, brave girl you are!! I am so proud to have you as my Granddaughter!!! Love you so much, Grandma Barbara.
You are so, so brave. I commend you for sharing your story with all of us. Your family and friends must be so proud of you, and me, a complete stranger, is too! Keep up the good work, girl! Everyone will be thinking happy thoughts for you and your family. Thank you again for your courage in sharing your story. I know it must have been hard to put all that detail into words. Blessings for your health and well being.
Katrina, You are such a articulate author. Your story is so sad, I am so sorry that this happened to your family. We love you guys so much. Just remember that God loves you no matter what. We are glad for how well you are healing and so glad for all the wonderful friends you have to support you.
Katrina, I am so sorry for everything you had to go through. You are so strong and brave. Thank you for sharing your story, it must be hard to look back. I am so glad you are healing well and will soon be able to get to school and be with all your friends. We are all thinking about you and your whole family!
Katrina…….Im so sorry for this tragic ordeal…it seems you have emerged as a strong and brave individual. Thank you for sharing your story and stay brave and keep getting better and soon you will be eating pizza!! and back to school with your friends.
Best wishes…
Maureen
I love you kiddo.
You’re a very brave and smart girl. Thanks for sharing your story. All of the Frantz family loves you and appreciates you. We can’t wait to see you at school when you are able.
You are such a trooper and such a strong young lady. We are so very proud of you and love you very much. Thank you for sharing your story.
To my dear niece Katrina, you’re such a brave girl and I do admire you and Brittany for all your courage through this ordeal. Much love to you both and to your mom and dad. I love you all so dearly and miss you all terribly. Lisa XXX
Katrina,
Such difficult words to be written from such a young girl. Our prayers are with you. Thank you for your courage. Your brother was a great friend and fellow scout to our son Noah. Be blessed
KitKat, it was good to read your account of what happened, I am so glad you are a strong young woman and can write about it, getting it out is good for you, I know that it is going to be very hard for you, and your family, but I also know that you are going to be okay. Much Love, G-Ma Carolyn.
Katrina, I am amazed at your articulation and recall of the events of that tragic day. Tommy was special and will not be forgotten.
Know that we all love you!
bob, tammy, magz and ted
Katrina,thanks for sharing your awful experience with us. You are very brave! All of your family is brave, and you did amazingly well in such an emergency!
Blessing’s Carol & Jerry (G-ma Carolyn’s neighbors)
tommy botell was a very nice boy he had a heart of gold he was very nice i wish he was here
Hey Katrina! I’m glad I saw you at school. Hope we can spend more time toghter! Love Ya’!
P.s. Love your hair
Katrina, Thank you for sharing you story for us.. Im sooooo sorry for you and your families loss.. your little brother will be missed.. We are all thinking of you everyday and love you all very much…
Katrina, you are such an amazing young lady. Tommy will be truly missed by all those that knew him and loved him. Your making awesome progress and keep it up. Your in my thoughts and prayers daily.
Katrina, I love you so much and I’m sooo glad you are still here with us, Tommy will always be in my heart I remember when he was very little!!
I love you, Katrina. <3
Katrina no matter what happens in life I will always love you with all my heart. Love me back Daddy
Katrina, what can I say. I had heard about this little boy who had lost his life in a family outing at Mt. Lassen but to come to this website and find your voice expressing your side was not only brave and is a task I dont think I could ever do. One of my greatest fears would be losing my brothers and for you, this great fear is an unfortunate reality. I see pictures of your little brother and i think of my brothers and what we use to do as kids and I commend you on being strong enough to help us under the pain and sorrow you all went through. Tommy looked like he would ahve been an awesome little brother and I cant imagine what you have gone through since losing him. I just want you to know that by posting your memories, you share with us your experinces and in turn we share your story with others and as a result, Tommy lives on through the adventures of our stories.
If its not too much to ask, it would be nice to hear more stories about his life. He looks and sounds like he was very active and reminds me of my nephew who will be 5 next year but wants to go into the Cub Scouts. Maybe telling Tommy’s stories to him may encourage him to want to do well in Cub Scouts.
I didnt know Tommy but I know I would have loved him,
Chico State Student
Krystle T
Thinking of you Kit-Kat as we enter into this new year and decade, together. Love you Lots, G-Ma Carolyn
Katrina,
You are the bravest young lady I’ve seen. I can’t believe what has happened and I pray for you and your family. It was astonishing to read that you were testing your memory in such a situation. I wouldn’t have been able to think if anything like that happened to me. I’m glad you have let out your story, it helps the healing process. You are such a brave girl and I hope you can heal from this traumatic experience.
katrina and brittany i can’t believe that tommy is gone. You girls are the bravest girls i know and tommy would be proud of his sisters stay strong i love you all