Current Date: 29 Oct, 2025
{{entry.title}}

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

On June 10, 1986, two-and-a-half-year-old Michelle Funk fell into an icy creek and was submerged for 66 minutes. When rescuers pulled her out of the water, she was not breathing, had no pulse, and appeared lifeless. The doctors used various techniques to rewarm her blood and bring her back to life. She was successfully resuscitated and went on to lead a healthy life.

After a tardy start to Summer, the birds were singing, the bees were buzzing, and mum’s voice from the phone wafted through the hot June air.

Her calming voice helped her blond-haired toddler feel secure enough to explore the backyard’s size and take in its vibrant hues.

A beautifully painted butterfly, which was drifting into focus for the child with keen eyes, contrasted the green foliage.

Michelle Funk, who is two and a half years old, was in awe as the eyes on the butterfly’s wings waved back. She jumped to grab hold of the floating beauty. The butterfly continued to flitter in the direction of the gushing water.

Could the brave child catch the insect before the grassy barrier that delineated the garden’s edge put an end to the pursuit? Her mother’s voice was now almost completely obscured by the splashing of the chilly water below.

She finally got her chance when the butterfly dipped by chance just in time for Michelle to swing her tiny arms up and snare her prey.

However, as she disappeared beneath the grass blades and toward the water’s edge, the ground treacherously slid downward, and Michelle’s alert older brother hurried back to the house. Her face had briefly turned from triumph to alarm.

Michelle fell through the grass and over the edge at the Bells Canyon Creek bank. Her gurgling cries went unanswered since no one was nearby. Michelle sank under the mountain meltwater as the warm sun rays glistened off it.

A little girl survived a 1 hour submersion in freezing creek water 1
Michelle drowned in the Bells Canyon Creek for over an hour. Photo Credit: thisisgoodgood.com

Her flame was barely flickering and her skin had turned a ghostly white as the minutes passed. After 66 minutes, a rescuer finally in removing her blue, lifeless body from the 40°F (-4°C) water. Could she even be saved? It was worthwhile to try if there was even a remote chance.

She was taken urgently to the hospital, where Dr. Bolte was waiting. Michelle had drowned because of the length of time she had spent underwater. Knowing how long she had been underwater, many doctors would have pronounced her dead upon arrival; in fact, some of them thought Bolte was crazy for even considering the possibility that she might survive.

However, there was one thing working in her favor: rather than sealing her fate, the icy submersion had slowed her metabolism to the point where her body’s oxygen requirements had been met. Dr. Bolte had, by chance, been preparing for such an emergency for months. He and his group got to work right away.

Though they began squeezing warmed air through a tube into Michelle’s lungs and injecting warm fluids into her veins and stomach, three hours after the child had fallen into the creek she was still lifeless. Michelle’s parents and medical professionals feared that resuscitation would only return her to a vegetative state. They kept going.

Bolte, however, allowed himself to believe there was still hope for the poor little thing when her body temperature reached 25 Celcius (77 Fahrenheit) and a faint heartbeat was detected. Immediately after she gasped, she opened her eyes. To everyone’s delight and high fives, her pupils then shrank in response to the bright lights in the operating room, showing that her brain function was returning.

MIchelle was saved, made a full recovery, and suffered no long-term cognitive harm. Even the formal American Medical Association Journal referred to Michelle Funk’s case as “miraculous.”

The protocol for handling previously fatal drowning cases was developed as a result of her treatment.

Conclusion: Michelle Funk’s amazing will to survive and thrive

Michelle Funk’s remarkable journey of survival is evidence of her unwavering toughness and resolve. She resisted letting her circumstances define her despite the fact that the odds were stacked against her. Anyone facing hardship can find inspiration in Michelle’s tenacity and unwavering spirit, which serves as a reminder that we have the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The people who hear about Michelle’s survival will never forget it. It highlights the value of water safety, the necessity of emergency planning, and the strength of community support. We can make the world safer for everyone by taking lessons from Michelle’s experience and putting preventive measures in place. Her story will live on and continue to inspire people and communities alike, serving as a constant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

Similar Stories
Why Is the N Lowercase in 7-Eleven?

Why Is the N Lowercase in 7-Eleven?

7-ELEVEN is thought to have a lowercase "n" in its logo because the company president's wife believed that a logo with all caps would seem harsh, while a lowercase "n" would make it more graceful.

Australian man dies, comes back to life, and wins the lottery twice

Australian man dies, comes back to life, and wins the lottery twice

Bill Morgan, an Australian, is a man who has beat the odds. He escaped death by surviving a horrific automobile accident and heart attack before collapsing into a coma and going on to win the lotto twice. He went from losing virtually everything to winning far more than he could have imagined.

Before "The Rock," There Was "Rocky Maivia"

Before "The Rock," There Was "Rocky Maivia"

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s first WWF persona was Rocky Maivia, a face (good guy). The audience rejected him due to his cheesy character, with chants of “Die, Rocky, die!”. After this, he became a heel (villain), referring to himself in the third person as “The Rock” and insulting the audience.

Who invented the three-point seat belt?

Who invented the three-point seat belt?

While employed by Volvo in 1959, Swidish engineer Nils Bohlin created the three-point safety belt. Volvo first had the design patented, but soon as they discovered its importance as a new safety measure, they made the patent open to everyone. Millions of lives were genuinely spared by Volvo’s gift to the world.

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

Stefano Mariottini was snorkeling off the coast of Monasterace near Riace in 1972 when he noticed a human hand sticking out of the sand and called the police, thinking it was a corpse. It was actually two statues of "Warriors from Riace" - 5th century BC Greek bronze statues.

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Forrest Fenn, an art dealer, hid a bronze chest full of gold and other jewels somewhere in the Rocky Mountains ten years ago. In a poem, he hinted at its location. Thousands of people tried and failed to find the treasure, which is said to be worth over a million dollars, and at least four people died in the process. In June 2020, the Fenn treasure was discovered.

Missing Masterpiece Discovered in the Background of ‘Stuart Little’

Missing Masterpiece Discovered in the Background of ‘Stuart Little’

In 2009, Gergely Barki, an art historian, was watching the film Stuart Little (1999) when he spotted an original long-lost painting used as a prop. Called Sleeping Lady with Black Vase, this painting was the work of Hungarian avant-garde painter Róbert Berény. The painting had been considered lost after World War II.

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile

One thing is certain: when it comes to ensuring nice weather for the world's largest party, the Chinese cannot be accused of being subtle. The Chinese government authorized the use of 1,104 cloud seeding missile launches from 4:00-11:39 p.m. on Friday night to reduce the possibility of rain ahead of the 29th Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing

How Being Bugs Bunny Helped This Voice Actor Out of Coma

How Being Bugs Bunny Helped This Voice Actor Out of Coma

Mel Blanc; the voice of Bugs Bunny, had been in a serious car accident that put him in a coma. After many unsuccessful attempts to get him to talk, a doctor asked “Bugs, can you hear me” Mel responded in the voice of bugs bunny, “Whats up, Doc? The doctors used this to lead him out of his coma.

24-year-old burglar beaten by retired boxer victim

24-year-old burglar beaten by retired boxer victim

A 24-year-old knife-wielding burglar attempted to get into the home of a 72-year-old senior in Oxford, England, in 2009, but was left battered, bruised, and pinned to the ground. Frank Corti, the elderly, turned out to be a former boxing champion.

The fearless Annie Lee Cooper

The fearless Annie Lee Cooper

Annie Lee Cooper was fired in 1963 after attempting to register to vote. She attempted it once more in 1965, but the sheriff ordered her to leave after prodding her in the neck with a club. She then punched him, causing him to fall to the ground. She was imprisoned before ultimately registering to vote. Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the sheriff was ousted and subsequently imprisoned for collaborating to transport drugs, but Annie Lee Cooper lived to reach 100 years old and bears her name to this day.