(KGTV) - A San Diego woman celebrating her birthday in Mexico is in the hospital after a parasailing crash left her with multiple broken bones.
Katie Malone was in Puerto Vallarta last weekend to celebrate her 29th birthday when tragedy struck. According to a local newspaper, Malone was parasailing when the rope tethered to a boat somehow broke and left her flying through the air.
Malone crash-landed at an airport and suffered a fractured skull, fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a collapsed lung and other injuries. She’s expected to be in the hospital for at least the next month.
Malone’s friend, Christin Shigley, told 10News that Malone was flying uncontrollably in the air during stormy conditions.
Shigley added she was “really heartbroken” when she heard the news about her friend of more than a decade.
“What was supposed to be a 10-minute ride ended up being 45 minutes of her thinking she was going to die,” Shigley said.
Shigley is questioning why the parasailing company would allow her friend to fly in the middle of a storm.
"A lot of frustration of, why was she put up in the air when there's a storm coming? You trust your life with somebody when you go through something like that. I think she trusted them, and they kind of let her down,” Shigley said.
Malone’s parents are in Mexico with her as she recovers. They have not yet determined whether they will pursue any action against the parasailing company.
Shigley said, "She's helped so many people, and when they've been in this situation, helping them get on their feet. Maybe by getting this story out, somebody can help her."
A GoFundMe account was established to help Malone’s family with medical expenses.
