Injured Yosemite employee takes first steps

YOSEMITE -- A Yosemite National Park employee from Ceres who suffered a broken leg and pelvis as well as spinal cord damage in a 35-foot fall earlier this month took her first steps after surgery this week.

Jessica Rose Garcia, 23, was stranded near the Wawona area of the park for three days after she fell during a walk Oct. 6.

A search-and-rescue team found Garcia and airlifted her to a meadow, where an ambulance took her to a Fresno hospital. She underwent extensive back surgery last week and got out of intensive care Monday.

Family members posted on a Facebook page created to track rescue efforts and later Garcia's recovery: "She has been able to walk a few steps, but not very many. Things are looking great and she hopes to walk on her own before November arrives."

Garcia posted her own comment on the site: "I would like to greatly thank everyone for their prayers and wishes. I would like to give a special thanks to the search & rescue team for finding me.

"I would also like to thank anyone who has helped out my family during this hard time."

She also said she's "doing great" and looking forward to visiting with family.