San Tan Valley, Arizona — An 82-year-old Arizona woman is fighting for her life after suffering devastating third-degree burns and organ damage when she fell asleep in a metal chair while tanning by a community pool.

Betty Lou Summer was at the Johnson Ranch community pool on June 11 when the intense Arizona heat turned a relaxing afternoon into a medical emergency. Bystanders found her unconscious after she had been exposed to the sun for about an hour.

“The whole front of her body, all the way down to basically the muscle and the bone, is burned. And it’s significant,” her daughter, Michelle Gabbert, told local media. The burns covered approximately 30% of her body.

Summer’s injuries were worsened by direct contact with the hot metal chair. “Her pinky tip, which was touching the metal chair, was completely… gone. Anywhere that touched the metal on the chair completely just fried,” Gabbert added.

Critical condition

Paramedics rushed Summer to the Valleywise Burn Center, where she was diagnosed with severe heat stroke, liver and kidney damage, and shock. She was placed on a ventilator and dialysis and has already undergone multiple surgeries to remove burnt and dead tissue.

“We weren’t sure she was gonna make it through the night,” Gabbert said. She had been out of the country when the incident occurred.

Summer, who recently retired, is expected to remain in the burn unit for at least another month and will require multiple skin grafts. Her age has complicated her recovery, as older adults have thinner skin and more difficulty regulating body temperature.

Gabbert, a physician, is sharing her mother’s story to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and sun exposure. She urges people to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, stay hydrated, and avoid falling asleep outdoors in high temperatures.

“The heat is no joke,” Gabbert emphasized. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Summer’s long recovery.