On the morning of May 31, 2025, what began as a simple errand for Tayler Swanson, quickly turned into a life-threatening emergency.

While preparing for her younger brother’s graduation party, a young mother drove her parents’ Polaris Ranger down their gravel road to hang balloons at the intersection. On her way back, less than a mile from where she had stopped, the driver’s side door unexpectedly came unlatched. In an instant, the ATV veered into the ditch, rolled over, and threw her from the vehicle.

She regained consciousness alone on the side of the road with no one nearby. Fortunately, her iPhone detected the crash and automatically called 911. As emergency responders were dispatched, Life Link III was called to provide advanced critical care and rapid transport.

“I remember laying on the side of the gravel road by myself with no sight of anyone or any vehicles around,” she recalled. “Thankfully my iPhone detected the crash and immediately called 911.” Moments later, she heard the unmistakable sound of the helicopter approaching.

“Within what felt like minutes, I could hear the helicopter landing and finally felt some relief. Help was coming.” The Life Link III crew quickly assessed her injuries and began providing lifesaving care. Throughout treatment, they reassured her, explained each step of the process, and remained focused on keeping her stable. “The medics on scene gave me so much reassurance that I was going to be okay,” she said. “They were doing everything they could while also explaining what they were doing along the way.” During the flight to St. Cloud Hospital, the crew closely monitored her condition, managed her pain, and encouraged her to stay awake while continuing critical interventions.

At the hospital, the severity of her injuries became clear. She had sustained an open femur fracture, tears to both her femoral and tibial arteries, extensive soft tissue damage to her left leg, severe road rash, a bruised tibia, a torn hip labrum, three broken ribs, a broken sternum, a partially collapsed lung, a fractured spine, and significant nerve damage. Physicians warned that there was more than a 50% chance her left leg would require amputation.

The rapid actions of the Life Link III crew, including the prompt application of a tourniquet to control life-threatening bleeding, proved critical. She later learned that without their swift intervention, she likely would not have survived her injuries. “Without the Life Link III medics’ extensive knowledge and quickness in applying the tourniquet, I would have bled out within minutes,” she said. “I have them to thank for not only saving my leg, but also for saving my life.”

Today, she continues her recovery and reflects on everything she almost lost, and everything she was able to keep because of the care she received that day. “There are no words to describe my gratitude for the entire Life Link III team,” she said. “They allowed me to see my daughter again, who was only five months old at the time, and made it possible for me to celebrate my wedding day that October.”

For her, Life Link III didn’t just provide a flight. They provided a second chance.