Kiwi's 'horrific' US rock climbing accident led to leg amputation, now generous people are trying to help

Earlier this month Kiwi Anna Parsons broke almost every bone in her body in a terrifying rock climbing accident in the US.

The 21-year-old University of Otago student was climbing on Runout Slab at Snake Dike in Yosemite National Park when she slipped and rolled down a steep slope, hitting a ledge on the way down.

Anna broke her neck, spine, pelvis, ribs, wrist, feet, and toes, and left her with internal injuries, including a punctured lung.

Her left foot was so badly damaged that it had to be amputated and has had major reconstructive surgery on her right foot.

While the US doctors were able to save Anna from becoming paralysed, the American medical system means that her medical bills are quickly piling up – exceeding $1million dollars - far beyond what her health insurance covered.

Anna’s friend Tess spoke with Callum and P about how her recovery is going, as well as what her friends and family are trying to do to help bring Anna home to New Zealand and recover.

"She was rock climbing with another friend and I believe that she was climbing up, missed the point where she needed to clip on, ver climbed and basically tried to climb back down and fell," Tess explained about her friend's situation.

"I believe about 25 meters onto an 80-foot slab of rock, which is just horrific. And she ended up breaking nearly every bone in her body."

"Her neck, her back, her pelvis, punctured her lungs. I mean, honestly, she's an absolute trooper and luckily she had her helmet on, so she had no head injuries," Tess continued.

"However, her leg was basically beyond repair from the knee below and had to get amputated. So as you can imagine, she's just had such a horrific experience and no one could ever go should ever go through something like that."

"She's over in America, she's in hospital now and her insurance covered her about up to about $250,000."

Anna’s family has set up a Givealittle page to pay for a prosthesis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

An amazing $300,000 has been raised to date, but the goal is to reach $500,000.

Listen above to hear Tess’ conversation with Callum and P above, and donate to help Anna’s road to recovery here.