SEATTLE -- A Boise man is recovering from severe burns over more than half his body. He was scalded in an Idaho hot springs trying to save both his dogs after they jumped in. Now, for the first time, we're hearing from the man's wife who was with him at Panther Creek near Salmon.
Katie and Paden McCormick have been married for two years and are avid hikers. They were on vacation a few weeks ago, visiting their third hot spring of the day when the unthinkable happened.
They had hiked about a half mile to the Panther Creek Hot Springs, when their dogs jumped in.
"Our dogs just started burning and yelping and crying, and we had our towels in our hands and my husband just dropped everything," said Katie McCormick via a Skype interview.
Katie tells us her husband quickly jumped in to save them, into a deep pool of scalding water.
"I have no doubt in my mind, replaying it over and over and again that we acted on instinct," said McCormick.
Katie says she knew their dogs couldn't be saved and realized her husband was in danger as well. She says somehow they managed to walk back to their truck and fortunately found a fire crew in the area who were able to radio for help. Paden was then taken by helicopter to Seattle where he is still recovering.
"I can't thank the paramedic crew out of Salmon and that fire crew, I can't thank them enough because if it wouldn't have been for them my husband might not have made it," she said.
Katie says it's been a rough few weeks, but Paden is doing better, with the most intense surgeries behind him. The worst burns are on his legs, and Katie says his arms have already healed considerably.
"He's doing good, 50 percent of his body is burned, so he's lucky to be alive from what I understand of incidents like this happening, people don't normally make it out," said McCormick.
Katie says she lost their two best friends and almost her husband. Now, she hopes their tragedy prompts more awareness when it comes to extreme temperatures in hot springs.
"The fact that there was nothing posted just leaves an eerie feeling in my heart that I hope it saves someone else," said McCormick.
Since the incident, the Salmon Challis National Forest has issued the following warning about the Panther Creek Hot Springs:
"Panther Creek Hot Springs, referred to as Big Creek Hot Spring on the Salmon-Challis National Forests- Salmon NF, map are experiencing a temperature increase this summer. The hot springs are located east of Panther Creek, up Hot Spring Creek. Forest managers urge the public to use caution when approaching the waters in this area. The water may potentially be too hot for humans and their domestic animals. If, at the time of your visit, the water is near or above the boiling temperature, severe or possibly even fatal burns may occur."
But McCormick hopes they do even more and put signs up in the areas where hot springs are too hot.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
There are several ways to help the McCormicks with their growing medical bills.
There is a fundraiser planned for September 10th at Barley Brown's in Baker City, Oregon, where Katie used to work. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and will include live music and a raffle.
Also, this Saturday there will be a fundraiser at Sockeye Brewery and Grille on Cole Road, where Katie currently works. The event will last from noon until 5 p.m. There will be live music, food and drinks, and a silent auction.
McCormick and her husband are both students at the College of Western Idaho. She says they appreciate all the support from the community.
