The Story of a Woman Who Was Frozen for 6 Hours and Lived
Jean Hilliard, who, at the age of 19, in the small Minnesota town of Lengby on a cold December night in 1980, crashed her car into a ditch and, while attempting to get help, ended up freezing
40 years ago, a woman survived nearly six hours in freezing temperatures. This is the incredible story of Jean Hilliard, who, at the age of 19, in the small Minnesota town of Lengby on a cold December night in 1980, crashed her car into a ditch and, while attempting to get help, ended up freezing!
Jean Hilliard claims to have had little recollection of the events of December 20, 1980. Hilliard, age 19, was driving on a remote road in Minnesota when her vehicle hit a patch of ice and skidded into a ditch.
She decided to leave the vehicle and go to find assistance.
Hilliard reached the front of her buddy Wally Nelson’s residence. Nelson was a cattle rancher in the area.
She tripped and fell to the ground. Hilliard then crept up to the front door on her hands and knees.
The following morning, Nelson discovered her in the front yard. Hilliard was solidly frozen with her eyes wide open.
Hilliard had gone into a nearby city the night before to meet with her friends. She had spent the evening at the American Legion in Fosston. It was a popular location for young people to congregate and spend time together.
She was operating her father’s Ford LTD. It had only rear-wheel drive and lacked anti-lock brakes. This vehicle is not intended to effectively negotiate slippery country roads.
Nelson knew Hilliard very well. She was dating Paul, his best friend. Nelson had attended the Foston American Legion event the previous evening. The morning he discovered Hilliard is something that has never left his mind. He was shocked when he opened the door in the morning and found something at the front of his house.
