Air Ambulance Crew Reunites with Toddler They Rescued

A Utah toddler who nearly died from multi-organ failure while visiting family in Uruguay has reunited with the Intermountain Health Bombardier Challenger 604 flight crew that flew more than 6,300 miles to retrieve her in January. Estelle Santiago, now four, is on track for a full recovery—an outcome her parents say they did not believe was possible at the height of her illness.

Estelle Santiago had been diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome while her family was visiting Uruguay. By the time she reached a hospital in Montevideo, she was seizing and had progressed into renal, respiratory, and cardiac failure. Her family contacted Intermountain Health, which activated its flight and ambulance team in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Jon Woods, a pediatric critical care physician with University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, coordinated with physicians at British Hospital of Montevideo and served as medical control for the flight. The operator said this was its first international pediatric transport.

A crew of three medical team members and four pilots departed for Uruguay, overnighting in Peru before continuing to Montevideo. Estelle was intubated and supported by six to seven drips managing blood pressure, cardiac output, and sedation when the team arrived. 

Two days later, the crew began the return flight north, stopping in Peru to refuel and swap pilots, then clearing customs in Brownsville, Texas, before landing at Salt Lake City. Estelle was transported directly to the pediatric ICU at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital.

“The speed and efficiency necessary to make the transport safe, rapid, and successful were extraordinary,” said flight nurse Rose Linsler. “On Wednesday night we first heard about our patient. By early Friday morning, we were departing for Uruguay, and by that Sunday night, Estelle was in her ICU bed at Primary Children’s Hospital getting the care she needed.”

Estelle spent several weeks hospitalized before transitioning to rehabilitation and returning home. “Estelle is doing incredible,” said Ellie Santiago, Estelle’s mother. “She has a few lingering problems, but nothing that will hold her back. Estelle is on track to make a full recovery, and we’re so grateful.”

Intermountain Health added the Challenger 604 to its air ambulance fleet in 2022 for long-range international flights and organ retrievals. The aircraft’s cabin can accommodate two patients simultaneously and support complex medical procedures in flight.