Jayme Erickson of Alberta, Canada, has been working as a paramedic for more than 15 years. However, on November 15, she was called to a car crash scene that would change her life forever. At roughly 4:30 p.m., she and her partner responded to a collision in which two people were seriously injured. One victim was trapped inside the vehicle, so Erickson stayed with them until the fire department arrived to extricate her. She then ended her shift and went home, only to find out that the victim she treated was her own 17-year-old daughter, Montana.
- The Royal Canadian Mountain Police showed up at Jayme’s house to tell her about Montana. Shortly after arriving home, there was a knock at the door letting Jayme know her daughter was in an accident — the scene she’d just been working on.
- Montana Erickson’s injuries were so extensive that Jayme didn’t know it was her. “The critically injured patient I had just attended to was my own flesh and blood. My only child. My mini-me. My daughter, Montana,” Jayme wrote on Facebook. “Her injures were so horrific I did not even recognize her.”
- Jayme rushed to the hospital, but it was only more bad news. Sadly, doctors informed her that Montana would succumb to her injuries, and she passed away shortly after. “Today we officially said goodbye to my little girl. I cannot help but be angry for the short amount of time I was given with her,” Jayme wrote on Facebook. “I will cherish the memories we made and the time we had together. I am shattered. I am broken. I am missing a piece of me. I am left to pick up the pieces and expected to carry on.”
- A fundraiser has been launched on GoFundMe to help the family following Montana’s death. So far, more than $115,000 has been raised by just over 2,000 donors. While no amount of money can ever bring Montana back, hopefully, this can at least ease the financial stress the family may be experiencing following her passing.
- Jayme Erickson had one simple message after losing her beloved Montana. “Love with all your heart. Hold those close to you. Make memories,” she wrote. “‘If you’re going to love somebody, hold on as long and as strong as you can… til you can’t.'”