Betty Lou Summer, an 82-year-old woman, is fighting for her life after suffering devastating third-degree burns that reached "the muscle and the bone" following a nap in the Arizona sun. Her daughter, Michelle Gabbert, revealed the extent of her injuries, which occurred on June 11 at the Johnson Ranch community pool in San Tan Valley.
Incident Details
Summer had been enjoying a relaxing hour-long nap in a lounge chair at the pool when temperatures soared to 105°F. She was discovered unconscious by passers-by, suffering from severe heat stroke and covered in third-degree burns. The burns covered approximately 30% of her body, caused not only by the sun but also by direct contact with the metal chair. Gabbert told ABC 15: "Her pinky tip, which was touching the metal chair, was completely, the whole tip of it was gone. Anywhere that touched the metal on the chair completely just fried."
Medical Response and Injuries
Summer was swiftly wrapped in wet towels and moved into the shade before paramedics rushed her to the Valleywise Burn Center. Doctors also identified liver and kidney damage as well as severe shock. She was placed on a ventilator and dialysis and has already undergone multiple operations to remove burnt and dead skin. Gabbert, who was overseas at the time, said: "We weren't sure she was gonna make it through the night."
Recovery and Prognosis
Summer is anticipated to remain in the hospital's burns unit for at least another month. She will require multiple skin grafts over the coming weeks once her tissue has sufficiently recovered. Gabbert, a doctor, explained that her mother's advanced age contributed to the seriousness of her injuries and difficult recovery, as older people have thinner skin, less subcutaneous fat, slower healing abilities, and difficulties with temperature regulation.
Awareness and Prevention
Gabbert is sharing her mother's experience to raise awareness about the dangers of sun exposure, urging anyone heading outdoors to take proper precautions such as applying sun cream, wearing protective clothing, and staying adequately hydrated. "I would have never in a million years imagined one of my family members having to go through this," Gabbert told AZ Family.
