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Message
38 years ago today...America's baby
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:18 pm
They got her out on October 16, 1987
Her health was deteriorating after 58 hours in the well. They had told the paramedic that pulled her out. "Protect her neck and spine, but break her bones if you have to. She has to come out now." Thankfully that was not necessary,
Grown arse men cried tears of joy when the pulled her out.
Her health was deteriorating after 58 hours in the well. They had told the paramedic that pulled her out. "Protect her neck and spine, but break her bones if you have to. She has to come out now." Thankfully that was not necessary,
Grown arse men cried tears of joy when the pulled her out.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:21 pm to Frog Hide
I was five and only heard the news.
I legit thought they were trying to get that girl out of a whale for several days.
I legit thought they were trying to get that girl out of a whale for several days.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:24 pm to Frog Hide
I remember. Well done; rescue team. Well done.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:26 pm to ellunchboxo
I'm having Mandela Effect. I really remember this happening during the summer, not in October. We took a trip across country in late June that year and remember it happening not long after that as we remembered driving through Midland on the trip.
Anyone else remember this event as being in the summer and not the fall?
Anyone else remember this event as being in the summer and not the fall?
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:26 pm to Frog Hide
“I got KY Jelly up in they-ur, and ‘twas a slow, steady pull”
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:29 pm to Frog Hide
Back when America was awesome
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:34 pm to slinger1317
quote:
Back when America was awesome
Someone would probably sue for trying to rescue her today
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:35 pm to wareaglepete
quote:
Anyone else remember this event as being in the summer and not the fall?
Yes. My memory is seeing something on TV while at my Grandmother's house out of state. We typically only visited my Grandmother during the Summer and at Christmas. So I either mashed memories together or I saw one of those "year in review" news specials they ran after Christmas where they highlighted all of the major news stories of that year.
Also have fond memories of the Simpsons parody episode where Bart dropped his microphone controlled radio down the well and pretended to be Little Timmy O'Toole while Sting heroically dug to save him.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:36 pm to Frog Hide
Similar story in Italy that had a different ending:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Alfredo_Rampi
quote:
Death of Alfredo Rampi
On 10 June 1981, around 19:00, six-year-old Alfredo walked with his family. He asked to return home alone. While wandering, he fell into an artesian well, approximately 30 cm (12 in) wide and 80 m (260 ft) deep. Rescuers estimated his position at 36 m (118 ft) below ground.
Local firefighters attempted to lower a board attached to a rope for Alfredo to grab. The board became stuck, blocking the exit, and the rope tore. Three cave explorers tried descending upside-down to remove the board but failed due to the narrow passage.
Rome fire department commander Elveno Pastorelli ordered digging a parallel shaft 40 m (130 ft) deep with a connecting tunnel to reach Alfredo from below. Heavy machinery broke through hard rock layers, but vibrations caused Alfredo to slip 30 m (98 ft) deeper. The tunnel was 3 m (9.8 ft) from the well.The rescue drew unprecedented media attention.[3] President Sandro Pertini visited the site.
Volunteer Angelo Licheri descended the well, reached Alfredo, and attempted to secure a harness, but failed. Further rescue attempts were unsuccessful, and Alfredo slipped deeper. His voice, relayed by microphone, weakened. He likely died around 6:30 on 13 June 1981. Volunteer Donato Caruso confirmed his death while attempting to secure a harness. The body was recovered on 11 July.
Alfredo's mother, Franca Rampi, founded the Rampi Centre to improve emergency rescue coordination.
quote:
RAI broadcast live for 18 hours, attracting as many as 21 million viewers. The rescue attempt marked Italy’s first live broadcast of such an event. Initially expecting a quick resolution, broadcasts continued as the situation worsened, sparking debate about privacy and broadcasting ethics. The story gained international attention, leading BBC headlines on 12 June.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Alfredo_Rampi
Posted on 10/16/25 at 12:48 pm to Frog Hide
I remember being in middle school and watching this on tv.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 1:04 pm to Frog Hide
Didn't they have to amputate a few of her toes?
I think I remember that, but I was only 7 at the time.
ETA: Per Wikipedia:
I think I remember that, but I was only 7 at the time.
ETA: Per Wikipedia:
quote:
Following McClure's rescue on October 16, 1987, doctors feared they would have to amputate Jessica's foot due to damage from loss of blood flow sustained from her leg being elevated above her head for the 58 and a half hours she was stuck in the well. They decided to try hyperbaric therapy in an attempt to avoid full amputation. In the end, surgeons only had to amputate a toe due to gangrene caused by loss of circulation while she was in the well.
This post was edited on 10/16/25 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 10/16/25 at 1:23 pm to Funky Tide 8
Posted on 10/16/25 at 1:35 pm to Pepperoni
quote:
now closed Nutty Putty Cave
Seems like every couple of years this comes up on here.
I had never heard of it, so went down a rabbit hole (no pun intended) on the event that occurred there. There is some great info online about it and even a couple of really good Youtube videos. Has to be a horrible way to die. Just waiting on starvation and the elements to overcome you.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 1:36 pm to Frog Hide
Watched it unfold on tv.
Also saw a movie about it.
Also saw a movie about it.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 1:44 pm to Pepperoni
I was playing in the high school band at the football game when it was announced she had been rescued.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 1:46 pm to Frog Hide
One of my father’s cousins was part of this rescue and told about how frantic this was and the jubilation when she was raised up. Still remember family talking about it.
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