Sometimes, life throws curveballs when you least expect it. That was definitely the case for Ursula Bannister, a determined 79-year-old hiker who found herself in a dangerous situation while on a solo mission to honor her late mother. What started as a peaceful hike turned into a dramatic rescue involving a selfless stranger who carried her for hours—literally—on his back.
The Journey to High Rock Lookout
Ursula had made the hike to High Rock Lookout many times before. It was a place of deep significance to her, where she had scattered her mother’s ashes 23 years ago. Confident and familiar with the steep 3.2-mile trail near Ashford, Washington, she felt sure she could handle it—even at 79. However, life can be unpredictable, and her hike quickly took a turn for the worse.
As Ursula began her descent after paying her respects at the top, her foot caught in a hole on the trail, sending her tumbling forward. When she finally sat up, she realized something was horribly wrong: her foot was pointing in the wrong direction. Yep, that’s never a good sign.
The Calvary Appears: A Group of Young Hikers
In excruciating pain, Ursula did the only thing she could—she called out for help. Fortunately, help was just around the corner. A group of three young hikers, including 20-year-old Troy May, an Air Force airman, were making their way up the trail when they heard her cries.
They rushed to her side and immediately called 911. The catch? Rescue wasn’t coming anytime soon. The search and rescue team informed them it would take at least five hours to reach her. Yeah, five hours—because apparently, the universe likes to add a little extra drama sometimes.
Troy May Steps Up
With no painkillers on hand and a five-hour wait ahead, Ursula was facing a nightmare scenario. That’s when Troy May made a decision that would change everything. Without hesitation, he offered to carry her down the mountain.
“I knew I was capable of carrying her down,” Troy later told The Washington Post. “I really didn’t make much of a decision, I just knew I needed to carry her down if I could.” And that’s exactly what he did.
Lifting Ursula onto his back, Troy began the slow, careful trek down the steep and rocky trail. He carried her three-quarters of the way—nearly 1.8 miles—while his friend, Layton Allen, took over for the final stretch. Let’s just pause for a second: how many of us could (or would) carry a stranger down a mountain? Exactly.
A Community of Heroes
As they made their way down, they encountered two other hikers who happened to be medical professionals. Occupational therapist Emily O’Brien helped Ursula with breathing exercises to keep her calm, while physical therapist Tim Meyer splinted her broken leg, ensuring the injury wouldn’t get any worse.
With the extra support, Troy was able to move more confidently. He even found the breath to chat with Ursula, keeping her mind off the pain by asking her about her life. As it turns out, Ursula had some pretty incredible stories. She was born in Germany just after World War II and moved to the U.S. in 1959. That’s right—on top of everything else, she’s lived a life filled with resilience.
Reaching Safety
Once they reached the trailhead, the team didn’t waste any time. Layton quickly drove Ursula to Tacoma General Hospital, where doctors confirmed the severity of her injuries: a compound break of the tibia, fibula, and heel bone. Ouch. Thanks to Tim Meyer’s expertly applied splint, the doctors said it could have been much worse.
Unfortunately, Ursula’s leg was too swollen to operate on immediately, so she had to wait. In the end, she received 11 screws and a titanium plate, marking the beginning of a long road to recovery.
Gratitude and New Friendships
Despite the pain and discomfort, Ursula’s gratitude for her rescuers knew no bounds. She later reflected on how these complete strangers literally appeared out of the woods to save her life, showing incredible kindness and selflessness.
“I was just overwhelmed with gratitude that these people literally came out of the woods to help me, and they were totally unselfish and kind,” Ursula shared. The bonds formed during this intense experience were worth more to her than the injury itself.
Troy May was even awarded an Air Force medal for his heroic efforts, but he remains humble about the whole experience. For him, it was simply the right thing to do.
The Unseen Heroes
This story reminds us that, even in the most unexpected moments, people have an incredible capacity for kindness. Troy, Layton, and the others who helped Ursula could’ve easily kept walking that day. Instead, they chose to act, to step up when it mattered most.
So, next time you hit the trails—or face a challenge in your own life—remember Ursula’s story. You never know when a stranger might carry you through.
