An elderly woman, aged 82, suffered severe burns down to the muscle and bone after falling asleep while sunbathing, according to her daughter. Betty Lou Summer was at the Johnson Ranch community pool in San Tan Valley on June 11 when she dozed off under the intense Arizona sun. Passers-by found her unconscious, suffering from extreme heat stroke and third-degree burns.
Michelle Gabbert, Summer’s daughter, described the extent of the burns, stating that her mother’s front body was severely burned down to the muscle and bone. Summer was quickly treated with wet towels and moved to a shaded area before being taken to the Valleywise Burn Center. Doctors diagnosed her with liver and kidney damage, severe shock, and burns covering approximately 30% of her body.
The burns were not only due to sun exposure but also contact with a metal chair, causing additional injuries. Gabbert mentioned that parts of her mother’s body in contact with the chair were severely burnt, including the tip of her pinky finger.
Following the incident, Summer underwent multiple surgeries to remove the damaged skin. She remains in the hospital’s burns unit and will need several skin grafts as her tissue heals. Gabbert highlighted the challenges of Summer’s recovery at her age, emphasizing the importance of sun safety measures such as sunscreen, protective clothing, and hydration.
Gabbert, a doctor herself, shared her mother’s story to raise awareness about the risks of sun exposure. She urged people to take precautions when outdoors to prevent similar incidents. Summer’s recovery process is expected to be lengthy, with ongoing medical care and treatments.