On a bitterly cold January morning in Almo, Idaho, Laura Jones and her husband Rod set out on their four-wheelers to move cattle across the pasture. With the nearest hospital 45 miles away and the closest trauma center nearly 100, they were used to relying on each other and their community in emergencies. When Rod noticed a stray cow, Laura volunteered to bring it in. She wasn’t traveling fast, but her ATV’s front tire dropped into a small ditch, throwing her violently to the ground.

Rod couldn’t see her at first. When he found her, Laura was moaning but barely responsive. With limited cell service, he managed to reach their daughter, Sydney, who called 911. Together, they covered Laura with blankets against the frigid air and moved her into the warmth of the pickup until help arrived.

Life Flight Network’s Burley-based crew launched immediately. Working alongside local EMTs and Laura’s family, they carefully secured her to a backboard and loaded her into the aircraft. Within minutes, she was airborne to Portneuf Medical Center, bypassing the long and dangerous ground journey. Doctors discovered three skull fractures, multiple brain bleeds, and fractures in her shoulder and hip. After three weeks in intensive care, Laura has continued her recovery through occupational and speech therapy. Though her journey is ongoing, her determination remains unwavering.

Looking back, Laura says simply, “Life Flight saved my life. I can’t express my gratitude enough.” Her husband Rod adds, “We couldn’t believe how fast Life Flight responded—it was like we made the call, and the helicopter was there.” Sydney remembers the fear she felt watching the helicopter lift off, tempered by her gratitude: “The extra time driving to the hospital would not have been good. Having Life Flight there meant everything.”

Today, Laura continues her recovery, surrounded by the family and community who first came to her aid. Her story is a reminder of the life-saving difference timely access to air medical care makes in rural communities.