Indiana Jones suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, severe liver damage, and injuries to her kidneys and lungs
By Jon Johnson/Gila Herald
MOUNT GRAHAM — An 18-year-old Thatcher woman remains hospitalized nearly two weeks after she was crushed by a massive fallen log during a weekend outing with friends on Mount Graham, suffering severe injuries that doctors initially feared she might not survive.
Indiana Jones, who goes by “Indy,” suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, severe liver damage, and injuries to her kidneys and lungs in the Sept. 26 accident, according to her mother, Jade Jones. Indy is a 2025 Thatcher High School graduate who played basketball and ran track.
“Doctors are even still surprised that she survived that accident in the first place,” Jade Jones told Phoenix television station 12 News.
Indy was spending the weekend with friends at Treasure Park Campground on Mount Graham when the group of six young adults—ranging in age from 18 to 20—decided to move a fallen pine log to use as a seat while roasting marshmallows.
The log, about two feet in diameter and 40 to 50 feet long, sat uphill from the group’s campsite on a 10-to-15-foot slope. As the group attempted to push the log toward the camping area, part of Indy’s hoodie became caught on a branch stub.
“A fallen-down tree got snagged onto her hoodie, like the bottom part that goes around her waist, and just pulled her over and then rolled over her,” Jade told 12 News.
The massive log rolled completely over the 18-year-old, including over her head.
Her family believes a small depression in the ground prevented the full weight of the log from causing fatal injuries.
“When it rolled over her, she had actually fallen into a little dip in the ground, and that’s why it did not crush her completely,” Jade told 12 News. “Everyone — doctors, everyone — is just so surprised that she did not get any head injuries or spinal injuries from this.”
Indy’s friends were able to cut her sweatshirt and free her from the log before calling 911 at approximately 11:06 p.m. Authorities noted there were no signs of alcohol or drug use at the scene.
First responders placed the victim in a neck brace and backboard. Responders initially coordinated with Air Evac to establish a landing zone at Ladybug Saddle for rapid air transport. However, after hovering over the site, the air medical crew diverted and canceled the flight due to heavy tree cover and the lack of a safe emergency escape route.
With no viable landing zones available down the mountain, Lifeline Ambulance transported her via ground unit to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) in Safford, accompanied by law enforcement.
At MGRMC, surgeons performed emergency treatment to stabilize her and control severe internal bleeding. Doctors initially planned to fly Indy to Tucson for specialized care, but her condition suddenly deteriorated when her blood pressure dropped.
“They had to rush her back for emergency surgery, and she was bleeding internally very badly,” Jade told 12 News.
Indy was eventually transported to a Tucson hospital, though her mother said doctors were uncertain whether she would survive the flight.
Indy remains intubated and unable to speak, but her mother noted she is coherent and doctors expect her to make a full recovery.
“It’s going to be long, but she is going to be making a full recovery,” Jade said.
To help with medical bills, donations are being accepted via Indiana Jones’ mother’s Venmo: @Jade-Jones-111.
