Will Dusinberre, a Pennsylvania resident, is expressing heartfelt thanks to the emergency responders who came to his aid after he suffered a head injury while hiking near Porcupine Falls in Wyoming earlier this summer, Montana’s News Leader reports.
Dusinberre was working at a local ranch and had taken a day off with friends when the incident occurred.
The day began as a typical summer outing but quickly turned traumatic when a tree unexpectedly collapsed, striking Dusinberre and his friends.
“I don’t remember much from that day or even the day before… I just remember hiking out with my buddies and that we had stopped to swim and relax for a little bit,” he reflected.
Witnesses and friends filled in some gaps in his memory.
“Somebody yelled ‘Tree,’ and I turned around and was already hit,” Dusinberre recounted.
One of his friends, who escaped injury, sprinted about seven-tenths of a mile up the trail in search of help. Luckily, he encountered Michelle and Jesse Rystrom, who were leaving the area after a visit to the falls. Michelle, an emergency nurse, and Jesse, a firefighter paramedic, quickly responded to the emergency after hearing the cries for help.
“We thought we heard somebody yell help… A young kid was running up the trail and was saying that a tree had fallen and one of his friends was bleeding from his head.,” Michelle recalled.
The Rystroms’ quick reaction and training enabled them to provide immediate care.
“Your adrenaline kind of just kicks in, and you just start taking care of the kids… Everything lined out just to help them because there was nobody else in the parking lot that was there,” Michelle said.
With their assistance, Dusinberre was transported to St. Vincent’s Healthcare in Billings, where his parents rushed from Pennsylvania to be by his side.
“It wasn’t until we arrived that we found out how serious the injury was… It was horrific.
The shocking sight left Louise numb.
“My emotions were just put on hold because you’re just full in that fight or flight,” she described.
The family has faced a difficult journey, which has included multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
Despite the challenges, Will has maintained a positive outlook.
“It’s allowed me to appreciate all the things I have in the moment and the things I can get back to eventually,” he said.
Will, who has managed to play the guitar and sing during his recovery, plans to return to college for his senior year in the spring. He acknowledges the critical role the Rystroms played in his survival.
“I wouldn’t be here without them. The fact that they were even there in the first place is just kind of a miracle,” he stated.
“It was just a lot of heroes and angels right where they needed to be,” Louise concluded.
It was just a lot of heroes and angels right where they needed to be.” Will Dusinberre is expected to make a full recovery.
