Gutsy (and smart) Kid

COL Ted Mc — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:09:17 -0500

Ran across this in the Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0104/Plane-crash-survivor-s-unusual-tale-How-many-7-year-olds-have-survival-skills-video

and thought people would find it interesting.

Plane crash survivor's unusual tale: How many 7-year-olds have survival skills?

Even as investigators work to determine the cause of a plane crash in rural southeastern Kentucky late Friday, the lone survivor, 7-year-old Sailor Gutzler, is being hailed for her remarkably calm thinking and resourcefulness.

After the twin-engine Piper PA-34-200T her father was piloting crashed upside-down into the remote Kentucky woods, killing Sailor's parents, 9-year-old sister, and 14-year old cousin, the girl managed to walk three-quarters of a mile to safety though what one local called "very, very rough territory."

She was wearing shorts and only one sock with no coat, since her family was returning from a Florida vacation, though temperatures at the crash site were near freezing. She had a broken wrist and numerous cuts. And it was dark, so she used the plane's flaming wreckage to light a tree branch.
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About a half hour after the crash, Sailor knocked at the door of Larry Wilkins: "She told me that her parents were dead, and she had been in a plane crash, and the plane was upside down," he told ABC News.

Mr. Wilkins's house is only one of three in the area that are inhabited year-round. ...

Plane crash survivor's unusual tale: How many 7-year-olds have survival skills? (+video)

Sailor Gutzler, the 7-year-old lone survivor of a plane crash in Kentucky, showed remarkable resourcefulness and fortitude to find help.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 5 at 2015 4:11 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:11:36 -0500

That little girl is a bad-ass. Maybe she wants to join the Marine Corps? I can only imagine she would be a significant asset.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 5 at 2015 4:42 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:42:15 -0500

She is a very gutsy, smart and resilient young lady in deed. Hope she gets the support she deserves (and will most likely need) to recover from this tragedy.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 4:48 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:48:58 -0500

Remarkable story and shows that even a small child can have a strong will. Even if she had survival training from her father quite amazing this young girl kept her wits and courage to save herself and try to get help for her family. Thank you for sharing!