Good Samaritan saves Arizona teen from heat stroke
EL MIRAGE, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - An Arizona high schooler suffered several third degree burns after she passed out from heat stroke while walking home from school.
Her family says her body temperature hit 107 degrees when it happened nearly a month ago, and she's still in the hospital.
The teen's grandfather says if it wasn't for a good Samaritan who stepped in, her life may have ended.
What was supposed to be the start June Shaver's junior year of high school turned into something completely different.
Larry Shaver, her grandfather, has raised her since she was three-months-old.
He says both he and his wife work full time so June was walking home from Dysart High School on just the second day of class.
It's about a two mile walk. She was almost home and out of water.
"Didn't realize she was in trouble, and she kept going and they think she had a seizure from the heat stroke and passed out," Shaver shared.
In 110 degree heat, she fell to the ground. The impact split her chin open as her body began to burn on the pavement that could have been as hot as 180 degrees.
Shaver says they don't know how long she was on the ground, but a good Samaritan saw her and called 911.
The ambulance eventually took her to the Arizona Burn Center for treatment.
Already, she has undergone five surgeries for burns that covered her hands, arms and legs.
When asked what was running through his mind as a grandfather, Shaver said, "That it was my fault. We should have done something. You know, make sure she was safe getting home...she has walked it before and didn't have any problems, and we made sure she had plenty of water. So that might say she stopped and got water on the way, but I guess it was just too late. She got too hot."
Shaver said if it wasn't for that person who stopped to help, his granddaughter may not have survived.
"It was literally a matter of minutes and she wouldn't be here...Very thankful. I couldn't thank them enough," he expressed.
Now usually, the teen would take the bus, but last year, Dysart Unified School District announced cuts to routes to stay within budget.
A spokesperson for the district says a bond measure that would help fund new buses was defeated in November.
"I'm not mad at the district. I understand they have a budget, I just think there was better ways they could do it," Shaver remarked.
Shaver says his granddaughter has been in the hospital for nearly a month now, hoping she will be able to go home this weekend, but says it's going to be months, possibly a year, before she can be back in the classroom.
