Betty Lou Summer, 82, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, is recovering in the hospital after sustaining severe injuries on June 11 when she fell asleep in a metal lounge chair at the Johnson Ranch community pool. High temperatures reached 105F that day.
Summer suffered third-degree burns, heat stroke, liver and kidney damage, and septic shock, with her core body temperature reaching 104F, according to her daughter, Michelle Gabbert. Other pool guests found Summer unresponsive and covered in blisters, prompting them to call for assistance.
"The sun basically fried everything," Gabbert told Fox 10 Phoenix. "She lost the tip of her pinky because of the metal lounge chair."
Summer was initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Valleywise Burn Center. Her injuries affected her chest, abdomen, and legs. She required a ventilator and extensive medication to survive, and at one point, needed dialysis due to the heat stroke.
She has since undergone multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, and removal of damaged tissue. While she is no longer on a ventilator or dialysis, Summer is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another month due to her age and a high risk of infection. Her daughter noted that her burns are more severe than initially assessed, necessitating further surgical procedures.
Gabbert, who is a doctor, expressed shock at the severity of her mother's injuries, stating, "I never thought I would see something like this in one of my own family members just from being out in the sun for an hour."
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help with medical expenses and has raised nearly $7,000. Summer is reportedly in significant pain but is described by her daughter as a fighter.
