PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — The High Rock Lookout has always been a special place for Ursula Bannister.
Especially after her last hike, when she says she witnessed a miracle.
“It was like angels had descended from the sky,” said Bannister.
The 79-year-old made the hike up to the Mount Rainier viewing spot in August to place flowers in her mother’s honor.
In 2001, Bannister spread her mother’s ashes at the popular hiking spot.
On her way down during her August visit, Bannister said she stepped in a hole and broke her leg in three places.
She was alone, but other hikers heard her yells for help and came to her aid.
Off-duty U.S. Air Force Airman Troy May carried Bannister more than a mile-and-a-half down to the trailhead. May’s friend drove Bannister to a hospital in Tacoma.
May said he made the decision to carry her down when he learned it would take rescuers more than four hours to reach her.
“If I could carry her out, it’d be a lot quicker for her and get her out of a little bit of pain,” said May.
Earlier this month, he received an Air Force Achievement Medal for his efforts.
He does not consider himself a hero, though.
"There are many people that could have done it. I just happened to be at the right time to do it that day,” said May.
But Bannister said May and several other strangers who helped out prevented her injuries from getting worse.
”They tried to keep me engaged so they wouldn’t have to listen to me scream,” said Bannister, “It really encouraged me about young people, and middle-aged people, and older people and how good at heart the American people are.”