In September 2011, Turia Pitt’s life forever.
Whilst competing in a 100km ultra-marathon, the mining engineer was trapped in a grassfire. Not only did she suffer “full-thickness burns to 65 per cent” of her body, but Turia also lost seven fingers, had to undergo 200 medical procedures, and was in recovery for “two gruelling years”.
10 years on, the mother-of-two has reflected on the day her life changed forever.
Taking to her Instagram, Turia shared a recent picture of herself with her family, and an image from before her accident with her partner, Michael Hoskin.
“Ten years on from the fire, this is what I remember…,” she began her caption.
“In September 2011, I was trapped by a grassfire during an ultramarathon.
“I remember the hot Kimberly sun beating down, burning my already burnt skin.
“I remember accidentally sitting on a bull ant nest. Staring in confusion as the ants started swarming across my legs.
“I remember trying to drink some water but spitting it out because it was boiling hot.
“I remember seeing bits of my skin stuck to the rocks and spinifex.
“I remember the small group of us, banded together. The guys trying to construct some shade for Kate and I, a parasol of fluoro material lit up against the sky.”
Turia continued to recount her thoughts about her partner and how she felt as the hours “dragged on.”
“I remember thinking about Michael, my Michael. I remember telling myself, “Think of his warm face, think of his honey voice, think of his golden skin. Keep thinking about Michael”.
“I remember the bubbling feeling of panic as the hours dragged on. Wanting to be rescued. Needing someone to tell me everything was going to be okay.
“I remember the sun starting to set, the heat starting to dissipate, the breeze becoming cold,” she added.
“I remember saying ‘I don’t know if I can stay much longer.'”
This year, Turia shared these pictures from before and after her accident on her Instagram.
(Credit: Instagram)Thankfully, Turia was rescued and ended her post with the moment she was picked up via helicpter.
“And then, I remember salvation. The tch-tch-tch-tch of a helicopter racing across the sky.”
Of course, the 34-year-old has gone on to rise above that fateful day, and has become a motivational speaker, author, and mother to two boys, Hakavai and Rahiti.
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