LOS ANGELES, July 17 (Xinhua) -- An American woman who survived a seven-day ordeal after crashing off a coastal cliff in California was praised as a "fighter" by local officials at a press conference on Monday.
Angela Hernandez, 23, was found about 200 feet (60 meters) down a cliff in the Big Sur area Friday, one week after her Jeep plummeted down the cliff on the scenic Highway 1 on July 6, according to the Monterey County sheriff's office.
She was found by two surfers, who called 911 to transport her to hospital by helicopter.
"For her to survive for seven days on the coast with waves crashing over you at times, with the injuries she had, is amazing," Sheriff Steve Bernal said, praising her toughness and bravery.
Two days after her rescue, Hernandez described her ordeal in detail on Facebook.
"I was passing through Big Sur when a small animal stepped onto the road, causing me to swerve and lose control of my vehicle," she wrote.
"The only thing I really remember after that was waking up. I was still in my car and I could feel water rising over my knees. My head hurt and when I touched it, I found blood on my hands."
The crash left her with brain hemorrhage, four fractured ribs, a fracture in both collarbones, a lung collapse, ruptured blood vessels in both eyes, and intense sunburn.
Despite the injuries, every day she forced herself to look for higher ground while screaming "Help" at the top of her lungs. She lived on water she collected falling from the top of the cliffs and every night, she would find climb up to the highest point she could find to take shelter there before the tide rose.
"I've experienced something so unique and terrifying that I can't imagine me without a bigger purpose in this life," she added.
People commiserated with her on social media.
"What an amazing story of survival. So glad that you are safe and able to recover with your family surrounding you," a Facebook user identified as Amy Dan Adams wrote on Hernandez's Facebook page.
"Prayers for a full recovery. You are one brave and blessed young lady," wrote another Facebook user, Flora Molinar Poncey.
"Life is incredible," Hernandez wrote at the end of her post.
