CORONA, California: Brooklyn Mallett publicly thanked the firefighters who saved her life after an April off-road vehicle crash in Utah left the 15-year-old with severe burns.
Mallett joined her family and rescuers during a “Heroes Night” halftime ceremony at Centennial High School in Corona on Friday. Her father, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Mike Mallett, was among those honoured. “They are the reason I’m alive now,” Mallett told FOX 11 Los Angeles after the ceremony.
The crash occurred during a spring break trip near Zion National Park in Utah. FOX 11 reported that an off-road vehicle overturned on a remote road and caught fire with several people trapped inside.
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Off-duty and retired firefighters travelling with the families used their training and medical equipment to help rescue Mallett and another injured teenager.
The firefighters extinguished the flames within about two minutes, according to FOX 11. Mallett remained trapped longer than the other occupants and suffered burns over more than 40% of her body.
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She spent three months in hospital and underwent 16 operations, including skin grafts to her arms, legs and back. Mallett.
Now a student at Santiago High School, has said she wants to return to her dance team when her recovery allows. FOX 11 also reported that she still has to undergo additional medical procedures.
