A former EMT and ER nurse has become the story herself — after crawling through the dark, wild terrain of her rural Colorado property for 14 hours with a shattered leg.
A Routine Chore Turns Life-Threatening
Charlene Kirby, 75, is tough by anyone’s standards. Early last month, she decided to move a trailer using her side-by-side utility vehicle. Alone on her land, she’d done it countless times.
But this time, as she maneuvered the trailer, something slipped. To avoid being crushed by the vehicle, Kirby fell — and heard the unmistakable snap of her femur.
One chilling line: Her training told her exactly how bad it was.
Crawling Into the Night
With no one else around and her phone out of reach, Kirby did the only thing she could — she started crawling.
From 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. the next morning, she inched her way across dirt and weeds, fighting searing pain. She’s a nurse. She knew the risks: shock, blood loss, wildlife.
She pushed forward anyway, using her elbows and good leg to drag her broken body through the brush. Coyotes yipped in the distance. The moon crossed the sky.
It was the longest night of her life.
Found Just in Time
At sunrise, Kirby’s son arrived to check on her. He found her lying in the grass, barely conscious but alive.
One neighbor said, “Charlene’s a fighter. Always has been. If anyone could pull through something like this, it’s her.”
She was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors began treating her injuries. A broken femur at 75 isn’t just painful — it can be deadly. But if anyone’s got grit, it’s a woman who spent decades saving other people’s lives.
The Harsh Truth About Rural Isolation
People who live out in Colorado’s wide-open spaces love the quiet. But when something goes wrong? Help can feel a million miles away.
Charlene’s story is reminding folks that even seasoned ranchers, farmers, and outdoor workers can find themselves alone and in danger.
One line: It only takes a moment for things to go sideways.
A Lesson for All Rural Residents
After news of Kirby’s crawl spread, neighbors started talking about what they’d do differently. One family set up daily check-ins for their elderly mom. Another got their dad a GPS alert bracelet.
Here’s what people are saying:
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“Tell someone where you’re working.”
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“Carry your phone every time.”
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“Have a backup plan.”
Sometimes, it’s the smallest habit that saves you.
Strength That Won’t Quit
As for Charlene, she’s in the hospital now, recovering and already telling nurses what to do — old habits die hard.
Doctors say it’ll be a long road, but everyone who knows her believes she’ll be back on her feet before winter comes.
One short line sums it up: Heroes don’t always wear uniforms — sometimes they crawl through the night just to see another sunrise.
