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The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Frozen Fifteen Feet from Safety: How Jean Hilliard Survived 6 Hours at -22°F | E170

The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Bleav + Kaycee McIntosh + Julie Henningsen

Society & Culture, Halloween, Nature, Documentary, True Crime, National, Crime, Wilderness

4.0609 Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode tells the incredible true story of 19-year-old Jean Hilliard, who in December 1980 crashed her car in rural Minnesota during a blizzard and walked two miles through -22°F weather to reach help, only to collapse just 15 feet from safety. She lay frozen solid in the snow for six hours and was found stiff as a board, yet miraculously survived with no permanent damage or amputations, baffling medical professionals who still can't fully explain how she lived through what should have been certain death.

Transcript

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0:00.0

At the crux, we talk about tough decisions and clear thinking.

0:04.5

And that's exactly what case knives represent.

0:07.6

For over 100 years, case knives have been tools of capability.

0:12.3

They're carried by people who solve problems, lead with confidence, and do things the right way.

0:18.2

Made with craftsmanship in Bradford, Pennsylvania, each case knife

0:22.5

is built for those who don't just face challenges. They cut through them. Case knives every

0:28.4

day capable. Hello, survivalists. This is the Crux True Survival Story podcast. I'm Casey McIntosh. And I'm Julie

0:39.3

Henningson. And we are medical professionals with a passion for wilderness survival. Join us as we

0:44.5

explore real-life survival stories and the critical moments that determine their outcomes. Buckle up.

0:50.4

Adventure awaits. Let's dive into this week's story. Today's story honestly sounds like science

0:57.8

fiction, but every word is documented fact. I want to give a special shout out and thank you to

1:05.0

listener Corey Boynton, who reached out to us and shared today's story. It's an incredible tale,

1:10.7

and I can't wait to share it.

1:12.7

Thanks to Corey, who also complimented our stories around the campfire

1:16.5

of which the podcast, I love that description.

1:19.4

Yes, I loved it too.

1:21.3

And this is actually a great campfire story.

1:24.2

In fact, our main character could have used a campfire in the situation she unexpectedly found herself in, which led to one of the most amazing survival stories I would say that we've ever encountered.

1:37.7

Picture this. It's December 20, 1980. A 19-year-old woman crashes her car in rural Minnesota, walks two miles through a

1:49.8

blizzard in negative 22 degree weather, collapses 15 feet from help, and lies frozen solid in the

2:00.6

snow for six hours.

2:02.8

When they find her, she's literally frozen stiff.

...

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