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Keith McCord ReportingA Moab woman is recovering in a Denver hospital following a near fatal hiking accident. Last Friday she slipped and fell 60 feet into a canyon. She spent two nights in the cold with life-threatening injuries. Searchers who found her say it was her dog who most likely saved her life.
You couldn't write a better script for a Hollywood movie! A happy ending with dog being reunited with its owner. Danelle Ballengee and her dog Taz were on NBC's "Today" Show this morning!
Danelle and Taz's ordeal began December 15th. Danelle, a Professional Endurance Athlete, was hiking and climbing in a canyon south of Moab. She slipped on the ice and fell 60 feet. Her pelvis shattered, she crawled for nearly six hours until it got dark.
Danelle Ballengee: "That night he curled up next to me and cuddled and kept me warm. Temperatures were about 20 degrees, so having him right next to me was so important as far as keeping me really warm."
For two nights she stayed there in severe pain and no longer able to move. Taz, knowing something was wrong, wouldn't stay still.
Danelle Ballengee: "He would take off and then come back to make sure I was ok, give me a little lick in the face and wag his tail, and he stayed optimistic."
By then, Grand County Search and Rescue Teams were looking for the woman and they eventually spotted the dog.
Mike Navarre, Moab Police Chief: "The dog played a definite role here. I think the dog was a hero in this story."
The searchers tried to catch the dog, but he kept running away so they decided to follow him.
Mike Navarre, Moab Police Chief: "He was definitely evading and an led the rescuers right to his owner."
Rex Tanner, Grand County Search and Rescue: "It was the typical story that you read about and hear about. I never really had a lot of faith in some of those stories, but I saw it firsthand."
Danelle Ballengee was flown to Denver with life threatening injuries. This morning, her doctors said, following six-hours of surgery earlier this week, she's expected to recover, though it'll take months.
Danelle Ballengee: "Taz is my best friend. I go everywhere with Taz and I, he saved my life. He gave me a second chance at life."
Mike Navarre, Moab Police Chief: "I've been in law enforcement for 22-years. I've seen movies about things like this, but I've never seen it in real life."
Danelle's family wanted us to pass along their appreciation to the searchers and law enforcement teams in Moab for their dedication and hard work. As for Taz, he gets steak in his Christmas stocking this year.
