Autumn Veatch who walked 2 DAYS through the wilderness gets gift from Karen O

Home Top

The President of France awards American train heroes the Legion of Honor - his country's highest award for bravery - as passenger who first wrestled terrorist is revealed as a US professor
Survivalist rides out Washington wildfire in specially built 'dome home' and SURVIVES, as more than 374 square miles are burned in series of fires that are sweeping state
ISIS destroy ancient temple in Palmyra using dynamite as jihadi group continue their destruction of Syria's heritage
Edging closer? Joe Biden meets with Elizabeth Warren amid Presidential run amid rumors he WILL run for President
North Korea feared to be preparing naval strike after 50 of its submarines 'vanish' while the nation holds crisis talks with the South to avoid war
From Baywatch babe to British nobility: How California actress met her aristocratic, kilt-wearing husband in a Las Vegas bar... and now she is an English Countess and chatelaine of a magnificent 4,000-acre castle
French train gunman LAUGHS as he denies terrorism and says he found his guns in a children's playground...while his father says he is 'a good boy' who'd never kill anyone
'It was do something or die': American train-attack heroes tell how they foiled gunman... even after he sliced off one of their thumbs
Female reporter attacked by mob who rip her clothes during live TV coverage of anti-government protests in Lebanon
'Black Monday' on Chinese stock market as shares plummet by more than 8% and the world's second biggest economy continues its freefall
Cheer up, guys! The Obamas look downcast as they return home from two-week break on Martha's Vineyard
Inside the abandoned lace factory where Hillary Clinton's grandfather spent his life working before it was closed down mid-shift in 2002
Female officer guarding the home of NYC mayor Bill de Blasio is shot with a pellet gun
'They're paying nothing and it's ridiculous': Trump hits out at 'paper-pushing hedge fund guys' and promises to change the tax system to 'save the middle classes'
Hundreds travel to see Jimmy Carter, 90, teach Sunday school following news his cancer has spread to his brain
Son of Oklahoma Labor Commissioner is arrested for murder after 'stabbing his father multiple times' at fast-food restaurant where they went to settle an argument
Recipe for a successful first date? Don't order a salad and pay the full bill (and make sure it is at least $75)
Hair loss, chronic exhaustion and even mental breakdowns: How three women ruined their health by giving up MEAT
Your granny's favourite hobby is suddenly fashionable and it makes food HEALTHIER: Why chefs are in a pickle about preserves
'You got to have a fall guy': Shocking video emerges of NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter advising rookies on how best to cover up crime
How did British air show crash pilot 'run out of sky'? Former British Airways skipper fights for life as experts say he may have blacked out during attempted loop
Bride's anguish over chauffeur 'killed in Shoreham air show crash' as he drove to pick her up for her wedding
Seconds from disaster: Horrifying moment jet plummets into traffic on British highway as grandmother reveals how she witnessed the apocalyptic scenes and put her foot down through the fireball
Reality star who spent $100,000 to look like Justin Bieber is reported missing in West Hollywood

Autumn Veatch, 16, was caught up in Washington horror crash this month
She was in private plane flown by grandparents, both of whom died
Autumn made it to safety by following a river, and is now recovering
Her ordeal was noticed by Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O, who noticed that Autumn is a fan
She sent the teen a box full of signed gear to cheer her up
Autumn says she is doing well as she puts her life back together

By Ryan Parry West Coast Correspondent For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:22 EST, 2 August 2015 | Updated: 19:24 EST, 2 August 2015

View
comments

The miracle teen who survived a plane crash that killed her grandparents has been sent an inspirational care package from her musical idol Karen O, lead singer of U.S. indie rock band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Autumn Veatch – who is still reeling from her harrowing ordeal in which she spent two days wandering a remote wilderness before finding help – says the ‘super sweet’ gesture has given her a much-needed boost.

She told Daily Mail Online: ‘The gift from Karen O was one of those genuinely nice things that I have experienced in the last couple of weeks.

Scroll down for video

Gift: Autumn Veatch, 16, is pictured above smiling with a signed copy of Crush Songs, a solo album by Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O, who sent her the touching gift after she survived a plane crash

Fatal voyage: Picture above are Leland and Sharon Bowman, Autumn's grandparents, who offered to fly her from Montana to Washington after a visit. Both of them died when their plane crashed in the wilderness

Hospital and heroes: Autumn is pictured above in hospital recovering from her harrowing ordeal after the plane crash. To the right is pictured Karen O, who contacted Autumn via social media to arrange the gifts

‘It was so, so nice she didn’t have to do anything like that, it meant so much and gave me a real boost.'

The 16-year-old was flying with her step-grandparents Leland, 62, and Sharon Bowman, 63, from Kallispell, Montana to Lynden, Washington when the plane ran into trouble and crashed into a mountainous area.

After trying to rescue her grandparents, brave Autumn – the sole survivor of the crash - then navigated her way through the mountains to a freeway, using knowledge she had picked up from TV survival shows Man vs Wild and Survival Man.

After being rescued, Autumn - labeled a ‘superhero’ - was still struggling to come to terms with her experiences when she got an unexpected surprise from her hero Karen O.

More: Autumn's cache of Karen O goodies included more copies of the debut album and a stylized pillowcase and t-shirt

Message: Karen O wrote 'They don't love you like I do' in a message to autumn on the back of a vinyl version of the album

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman got in touch with Autumn online after seeing the teen - who was wearing a Yeah Yeah Yeahs t-shirt - recall her horrifying story on CNN.

She decided the young fan needed a boost and she sent her some more t-shirts, a band pillowcase and some signed records bearing poignant handwritten messages.

The note on one of the albums reads: ‘Dear Autumn,

From my heart to yours, this special edition is a valentine reserved for the most special people in my life and for those who inspire me.

‘It’s a memento for when things fall apart and come back together.

‘Enjoy, much love Karen O.’

Autumn said she was overjoyed when she received the package.

‘I’m guessing that she saw my story on the news or something - I was wearing a Karen O t-shirt that my boyfriend had given me while I was doing interviews,’ she said.

‘So she posted about me on Instagram and said she wanted to send me some stuff.

‘I direct messaged her and she got my address and sent me all these really nice things, it was so nice.

‘I was super excited because the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are one of my favorite bands.

‘She sent me some Yeah Yeah Yeah shirts, one of the pillowcases from her website - it has lyrics and some art on the front. It’s really cool.

Altogether: Pictured is a selection of the items which Autumn received in the mail from Karen O

Exchange: Pictured above is Autumn's reaction when she received the gifts from Karen O

‘She also sent two vinyl records and wrote stuff on the albums - it’s so, so sweet.

‘On the cover of Crush Songs she wrote the longer message, then on the other one she wrote: "They don’t love you like I do." It’s really cute

‘My heart melted when I read the messages.

‘I messaged Karen to say I got the package and all the things were really dear to me and that it meant so much to me. And she said she was happy to share it with me.’

Fatal flight: Autumn is pictured above in an image taken before the plane took off on its ill-fated voyage

Formed in 2000, three-time Grammy-nominated, New York-based art rock band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have a string of hits under their belt.

Lead singer, South Korean born American Karen O – real name Orzolek – has become famed for her high-energy stage persona and has developed a large fan base.

And the 36-year-old singer has certainly made a lasting impression on Autumn.

The teen said the gift has really lifted her spirits as she comes to terms with life after her near-death experience.

The high school student had been visiting her mother in Kalispell, Montana when her step-grandparents offered to fly her back home in a private plane to save her the long, nine-hour drive.

Autumn said she was nervous about getting on the small Beech A-35 as she had never been on a private plane before.

Ironically, she even texted her boyfriend, Newton Onodera, to say: ‘If I die, remember that I love you.’

It was overcast as the plane took off from Kallispell, Montana, at 1pm on July 11th, but conditions began to deteriorate once they neared their destination Washington.

Her grandfather attempted to fly higher in a bid to get through the weather - but right as he attempted that the plane came crashing down.

‘All I really remember is seeing trees, lots of trees.

‘I could smell fire and my skin was burning so I just got out of the plane as fast as possible.

‘My grandparents were alive when we crashed so I was yelling to them - asking them if they were okay.

‘I tried to pull them out but I couldn’t – the fire was so bad. There was nothing I could do.’

Autumn told how, when rescuers failed to come to her aid, she decided she had to navigate the rugged terrain herself.

Using a river as her guide she eventually reached civilization at 2.35pm on July 13th.

The teenager said she was sure she was going to die as she attempted to find help.

‘I remember thinking of all the times I had got upset about things – and that this is really what hardship is.

‘It made me put everything into perspective.

‘I was sure I was going to die, but I was determined to survive and be a better person - make the most out of my life.’

Pulling through: Autumn, pictured above with boyfriend Newton Onodera, says she is holding up well given the circumstances

Normal life: Autumn is trying to keep a hold of normality since the crash by dining out and going to concerts

Autumn credits British adventurer Bear Grylls and survival expert Les Strouds – the stars of hit TV shows Man Vs Wild and Survivor Man - with helping her survive the wilderness.

It was from these shows she learned that following a stream or river downhill would lead to civilization.

‘The survival shows definitely helped – Man vs Wild and Survivor Man are the ones I used to watch.

‘I knew that if I followed water going downhill eventually I’d reach civilization.

‘I didn’t eat anything because the only things up there were unripe raspberries and blueberries so I didn’t bother.

‘There was no way to make a fire up there because everything is completely wet, but I considered it.

‘I stripped down out of my wet clothes and tried to dry them out to try and prevent hypothermia - that was something I learned about.

‘I was completely wet - I kept falling in the stream. I ended up getting dehydration and hypothermia – but I knew they were the worst things to look out for so I was really worrying about them.

‘I pulled my clothes over my head and breathed into my shirt to try keep warm.’

Eventually Autumn reached the end of the Easy Pass Trailhead in the North Cascades national park and hit Highway 20.

But her ordeal was not over yet – as she stood on the edge of the road for an hour and nobody stopped their car to help her.

The tenacious teen then went to a parking lot where she was finally rescued and taken to Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster for observation.

Miraculously, she had escaped with just a few minor injuries and was released from hospital soon after.

Since then she has spent her time surrounded by her devoted boyfriend and her friends and family.

Journey: Pictured are the details of the flight which killed Autumn's grandparents and stranded her in the wilderness

‘They’ve all been great,’ she said.

‘I’ve spent almost the entire time with my boyfriend because he’s moving soon.

‘The day I got back from the hospital there was a little party of friends to welcome me back.

‘We all just sat and talked. It was refreshing because everybody was relieved to see me and they were all being very nice.

‘They bought me new makeup and some clothes and stuff because I didn’t have anything.’

Autumn, who has suffered mental health issues in the past, admits that she has been trying to keep herself busy – going to gigs and eating out – to stop herself pondering her ordeal.

But she has also been overwhelmed with the kindness people have shown her over the past few weeks.

‘I’m holding up as good as a person in my situation could be,’ she said.

‘I’ve just been trying to keep myself busy to stop myself from thinking about things too much.

‘There’s been a lot of really super nice stuff that’s been happening and the gift from Karen O topped it off.

‘People have been donating money to help me get my life back together – it’s been amazing.’

So far a Gofundme page set up for Autumn has raised almost $3,000.

And for Autumn she is determined to make the most of her second chance at life.

‘I don’t want to waste a single moment. I want to be out and about and see the world.

‘I don’t want to die without having experienced lots of things.’