New York

College Student Trapped by 15,000-Pound Tree: ‘I Didn't Think I Would Make It'

The college student who was pinned under a 7 1/2-ton tree after it crashed through her bedroom earlier this week said Friday that she didn't think she was going to survive the ordeal.

Stephanie Epstein, 20, only sustained minor injuries when the 15,000-pound tree smashed through the ceiling of her room in Great Neck early Monday. Just four days later, she walked into a conference room at North Shore University Hospital with the help of a walker and described the terrifying experience.

"I honestly didn't think I was going to make it," Epstein said through tears.

Epstein said she was sleeping when the oak tree smashed through her ceiling. She said she thought she was dreaming but realized what had happened when she began to lose feeling in her legs.

"I thought it was a big strike of thunder, and the next thing I knew I was pinned under the tree," she said.

Epstein's neighbor is a firefighter and was the first person to respond when the tree fell. Rescuers soon arrived and worked to free Epstein. She said they comforted her as they sawed and chopped at the tree's limbs, even putting a blanket over her head to keep sawdust from going into her eyes.

"I cannot express in words how thankful I am for everyone who saved my life," she said.

Epstein remained conscious throughout the rescue, and was taken to the hospital after emergency responders were able to hoist the tree off of her.

Fire officials said Epstein was sleeping on her side, which may have saved her life. Some of the cushioning from her bed may have absorbed the shock, they said.

Epstein didn't break any bones and didn't have any major internal injuries. She's having some difficulty walking but should be able to return to classes at SUNY Binghamton this fall.

Doctors on Friday said it was a "miracle" she could walk out of the hospital.

Epstein said she also hopes to share her story on the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." NBC 4 New York, which is owned by the parent company that syndicates the daytime talk show, was able to help her contact DeGeneres' producers.

Officials still don’t know what caused the tree to fall, but they have said it was not weather-related. Winds were blowing at a mild 6 mph and conditions were dry at the time the tree fell.

Some neighbors were temporarily left without power after the tree, which was originally estimated to be just 5,000 pounds, fell over some live wires at the back of the house.

Epstein's father was in the home when the tree fell; he wasn't injured. It wasn't clear if her mother was in the house at the time of the accident as well.

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