California nurse in Baja 500 helicopter crash details shocking recovery time

A California nurse from San Diego that miraculously survived a helicopter crash during the Baja 500 race in Mexico is lucky to be alive, and will now face a long road to recovery.

Katie Lowe, who worked as a former medic and current emergency room nurse, was part of the medical team for the race when the chase helicopter she was riding in came crashing down.

“Recovery has been a journey so far. I’m a little over a week out now, and I’m slowly getting a little better each day as long as I take it easy. My husband has been very good about reminding me not to overdo it, and every time I ignore him, I pay for it the next day,” Lowe told The California Post.

“I’m scheduled to follow up with a neurosurgeon in about 3 months. As long as everything continues to heal normally, surgery should not be needed on my spine,” she added.

Lowe said she is still waiting to see an orthopedic specialist for her shoulder injury, but the earliest available appointment is more than a month away, leaving her uncertain about what treatment plan doctors will ultimately recommend.

The crash happened on June 6, during the Baja 500’s annual tournament, where she tore her rotator cuff, sustained compression fractures on her T7 and T8 vertebrae, and suffered a labrum tear. Lowe was traveling in the helicopter with a pilot who also survived with injuries.

Lowe is hoping to return to work in 3 months after her appointment with her doctor, and thanked the community for giving her all the love and support.

Lowe’s friends and family set up a MealTrain to help her through recovery.

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