By Denis Brosnan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 8/14/03)

For Chris Gallihugh, July 30, 2003, will be a date forever etched in his memory. On this day, Gallihugh, 15, (pictured at right) was in Cookesville, Tenn., along with other members of his youth group from All Saints Parish in Manassas. The group was participating in a work camp along with other parishes from throughout the country.

The group decided to explore nearby Burgess Falls National Park on its day off. With its spectacular waterfall and hiking trail, Burgess Falls was the perfect place for Gallihugh to take some photographs of nature at its finest.

As Gallihugh attempted to remove a branch from his eyesight, he stumbled on the wet ground beneath him. Falling backward, Gallihugh dropped an estimated 70 feet — equivalent to falling from a seven-story building — onto a jagged creek bed.

For Gallihugh, the fall was a complete blur. "I remember falling, but it was almost like I was floating," he said. "It didn’t feel like I fell 70 feet….it felt much shorter."

As Gallihugh lay motionless on the creek bed, Youth Leader Rob Tessier and others ran down to the creek to help.

"At first, we could not see where he had landed. Honestly, I, and many others, truly believed he was either dead or would be lucky to come out of it paralyzed," said Tessier.

Father James Hudgins led children from the youth group in prayer as Gallihugh was being attended to.

"I couldn’t be prouder of the children," said Father Hudgins. "They showed tremendous courage and pulled together during an incredibly difficult time."

Despite the distance of the drop, Gallihugh remained conscious and alert during the 45-minute wait for paramedics to arrive.

"I was very confused, I didn’t realize what had happened until I saw Rob and the others by my side," he said.

Gallihugh was transported by a Life Force Two helicopter to a hospital in Chattanooga. Throughout the trip, paramedics encouraged Gallihugh to "hang on" and attempt to stay conscious.

That evening, Gallihugh’s mother, Mary McGaffic, and father, Terry, received a call from Father Hudgins telling them what had happened. They left immediately the next morning to be with Chris in Tennessee.

"I was so scared. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of his injuries," said McGaffic.

Word of Gallihugh’s accident spread quickly among the rest of the parishes in the work camp — and to work camps throughout the country. "Chris had people literally all over the country praying for his life that night," said McGaffic.

At the hospital, Gallihugh was given the Anointing of the Sick by Father Hudgins. Miraculously, Gallihugh emerged from the accident with a partially-detached left ear, two sprained ligaments in his left wrist, one sprained ligament in his right wrist, six staples in his head and stitches on his left knee and eye.

"It just wasn’t my time to go yet," he said. "I still have a purpose for being here."

According to Gallihugh, the experience has left him with a greater appreciation for life — and for God. "I feel like my passion for God has been renewed," he said. "I have realized how loving and caring people can be and it makes me feel really good."

Gallihugh attends Adoration twice a week at All Saints and aspires to become a leader in the youth group. "I want to give something back to the people who prayed so hard for me," he said.

As Gallihugh recovers from his injuries, his story has left countless people in amazement and shock. "When you fall 70 feet onto jagged rocks, usually your body isn’t taken to the hospital — it’s taken to the morgue," said Fr. Hudgins.

McGaffic recalled a recent conversation with a friend about her son’s accident. "I said ‘His guardian angel must have been working overtime," Her friend replied, "All of the children’s angels were working overtime."