Woman’s close call serves as terrifying frostbite warning

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — One woman is sharing her terrifying story to remind people just how dangerous frostbite can be.

Michelle Rohatyn’s car slid down an embankment at the edge of Calgary six years ago leaving her in a long fight for her life.

“I got stuck there for about 12 hours at about minus 40,” Rohatyn said. “I had a running car with heated seats and thought I was going to be OK and for some reason, it just didn’t heat up enough idling to keep me warm and I ended up getting frostbite from it.”

READ MORE: Police send out positive message after encouraging morning of Operation Cold Start

Rohatyn wasn’t concerned until she arrived at the hospital.

“One doctor was telling me I was not going to have any limbs from my knees down, the next one was like, ‘we can try this and maybe save this’.”

Now, she wants to ensure that people know the importance of hitting the road prepared, such as having a roadside kit.

“They come with things like an extra blanket, a candle, flashlight, it even comes with a mini shovel to help get out of a situation,” Rohatyn said. ” It didn’t help me from getting scarred but it definitely saved my life, having the extra things.”

READ MORE: High rise office and condo buildings struggling to keep warm amid cold spell

Another warning coming from the AMA is the importance of dressing for the weather regardless of if you plan on spending most of your time in your car.

“Going from your warm house to your warm car, people don’t really think about dressing warm for that,” Brandon Klassen with the AMA said. “They don’t expect to break down so just making sure you’re bundling up or have that extra stuff in your car to make sure you’re safe if something happens.”

Six years after her scary incident, Michelle continues to share her story in the hopes no one else ever has to go through the same ordeal.

“I’ve read some comments ‘Oh, this can’t happen in an idling vehicle, not in a newer vehicle!’ and I’m proof it can,” Rohatyn said. “Learn from other people’s mistakes. Stop trying to be cool. Dressing up is cool, keeping all your things is cool. Take care of yourself. It’s cold out there.”