Nursing Student Trapped in Burning Vehicle Faces 50 Surgeries
A nursing student who was trapped inside his car as it erupted in flames has endured fifty separate surgical procedures in less than two years. Corey Halstead, aged thirty-six, sustained extensive burns covering half of his body, including his face, neck, torso, arms, and legs, during the terrifying incident.
"I Thought This Was How My Life Would End"
Corey vividly recalls the moment of the fire, describing it as one of the most difficult experiences of his entire life. "I remember thinking about my family and my children and wondering if this was how my life was going to end," he revealed. "There was panic, disbelief, and a very real awareness that I might not survive."
He explained that an intense instinct to stay alive overwhelmed him even as his body was being burned, a feeling that remains with him to this day. "Fear doesn't fully capture how I was feeling as the flames grew," Corey added.
The Sudden and Devastating Car Fire
The catastrophic event occurred in April 2024 while Corey was driving. "One moment I was driving, and the next the car was on fire," he said. "There was no time to process or think logically, only to react. Within seconds, the car was engulfed."
Everything felt sudden and completely out of control. Seeing the vehicle after the accident proved extremely difficult, serving as a stark reminder of how close he came to losing his life. It brought up powerful emotions of fear, grief, and disbelief that he had survived something so utterly devastating.
An Eternity Waiting for Emergency Services
Corey says the wait for emergency responders "felt like an eternity" even though it was likely only minutes in reality. "Time moved very strangely in those moments," he recalled. "I remember desperately hoping someone would arrive while also realising how exposed and vulnerable I was."
He was rushed to hospital and placed into intensive care, where the grim reality of his situation began to set in. The first few days were described as a "blur of pain, shock, and confusion."
Fifty Surgeries and Unimaginable Pain
The weeks that followed were incredibly difficult both physically and mentally. Each day brought new medical procedures, fresh wounds, and growing uncertainty about what his body and future would look like. Many of the burns were deep and required significant surgical intervention.
By the time the surgeries began—including numerous skin grafts and reconstructive procedures—Corey had already endured so much that he experienced a complex mix of fear and surrender. "I was terrified of the pain and outcomes, but I also placed complete trust in my medical team," he explained.
There were moments of numbness, feeling completely overwhelmed, and times when he questioned how much more his body could possibly withstand. Beyond the physical injuries, the trauma had a profound emotional and psychological impact, something many burn survivors experience but isn't always visible to others.
Expert Medical Care and Housing Crisis
A significant portion of Corey's extensive care was provided under the expertise of Dr Ryan Endress, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at HCA HealthONE Swedish Medical Center in Colorado. Corey, who was between jobs and experiencing homelessness before the fire, also faced severe housing issues upon his release from hospital.
Some available options proved unsafe or completely inappropriate for someone healing from severe burns. "After leaving the hospital, a hospital social worker provided me with a pamphlet on homeless shelters and advised me to contact them for placement," Corey said.
"At that time, I still had open wounds, limited mobility, and ongoing medical needs. When I contacted the shelters listed, several of them told me directly that this was not an appropriate or safe environment for someone in my condition."
Creating Healing Home Group Non-Profit
With no suitable housing options available, Corey used what little savings he had to stay in a hotel for two months, relying on fundraising and support from others to cover costs while he continued healing and attending medical appointments. His family, particularly his children who were living with their mother in Las Vegas at the time, were "deeply affected emotionally" by the accident, his hospitalisation, and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery and housing issues.
Eventually, Corey secured a housing voucher and obtained long-term accommodation. His non-profit organisation, Healing Home Group, was born directly from this challenging experience. The organisation provides:
- Transitional housing for burn survivors
- Post-burn recovery services
- Emotional support for adult burn survivors and their families following hospital discharge
It's led by a dedicated team of survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, mental health advocates, and non-profit leaders. Corey also hosts a podcast called All About Burns, which features physicians, survivors, and medical professionals sharing their experiences and knowledge.
Advocacy and Future Medical Ambitions
"While I'm grateful I was able to find stability, that experience highlighted a major gap in post-discharge support for burn survivors," Corey explained. "That period of fear and uncertainty played a significant role in inspiring the creation of Healing Home Group, so others wouldn't have to navigate recovery without safe, appropriate housing."
He emphasises that burn recovery doesn't end when someone leaves the hospital. The emotional, mental and logistical challenges often continue long after discharge. Sharing his story is about raising awareness and encouraging greater compassion and long-term support for survivors.
Corey has plans to attend medical school in the future and hopes to become a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a special focus on burn surgery. He is currently raising money to replace his car and regain his independence.
"The accident changed every aspect of my life, from daily routines to independence and long-term plans," he reflected. "My family became my backbone throughout recovery, especially after discharge, when navigating life outside the hospital proved to be one of the biggest challenges."
That period exposed how limited support systems can be for burn survivors once inpatient care ends. There were moments of fear, pain and uncertainty but also moments of deep gratitude. The care he received from medical professionals, along with the support of his family and fellow survivors, helped carry him through the most difficult days.
"Mentally and emotionally, it was one of the hardest experiences of my life," Corey concluded, "and learning to accept a changed body while continuing to move forward has been a journey of resilience."
