Woman pinned under tree recounts death-defying ordeal
GREAT NECK, N.Y. -- A Great Neck woman who was pinned under a 5,000-pound oak tree is being released from the hospital Friday, CBS New York reported.
The tree smashed into Stephanie Epstein's bedroom just after midnight Monday.
"It sounded as if a bomb hit the house," Epstein's father, Geoffrey, said.
The 20-year-old college student was asleep when the 85-foot-tall tree unexpectedly fell into the second story of the Wooleys Lane East home and into her bedroom, police said.
"I honestly did not think I was going to make it," Epstein told reporters at North Shore University Hospital. "How the heck did I survive this?"
Epstein was trapped, unable to breathe and going into shock.
A volunteer paramedic, who lives directly across the street, came running to help save Epstein's life.
"We were worried about compartment syndrome," Great Neck volunteer paramedic Steven Blocker said. "The problem with the tree was that it was an inverted pyramid."
Epstein was trapped under the tree for at least two hours until crews could remove the massive limb.
"I was trying so hard to breathe, I was shutting my eyes hoping that would help time pass and begging everyone, 'Get this tree off me, please,'" Epstein said.
Epstein said being a side sleeper and guardian angels helped save her life.
"I cannot express in words how thankful I am for everyone who saved my life," Epstein said. "From the firefighters, to the police officers, to Steve, to thedoctors, to the paramedics, without them I wouldn't be here and I didn't think I was going to make it."
Epstein does not have any broken bones, but will need to use a walker until she fully recovers.
"It's a miracle case because as you see Stephanie is going to be walking out," Dr. Matthew Bank said.
The Epstein family will be staying with relatives because their home is uninhabitable.
Epstein hopes to recover enough to be return to Binghamton University next month.