Despite being injured and losing her baby in the Alaska plane crash, Melanie Coffee led rescue workers back to the crash site to help survivors.
The Associated Press reports that the 25-year-old made a phone call for help as she attempted to resuscitate her 5-month-old child before heading off to search for help.
She walked a mile in the Alaskan wilderness before meeting rescuers and taking them towards the crash site. St. Marys Village Police Officer Fred Lamont Jr. said, "I believe she's the real hero in this."
He added, "She was trying to do CPR to her newborn baby. She called for help."
According to the Alaska Dispatch, by the time rescue responders made it to the crash site, villagers from the nearby villages St. Marys and Mountain Village were already there trying to help.
The crash occurred on Friday night as the Hageland Aviation flight, which was going to the two villages, crashed with 10 people aboard only four miles away. Five passengers managed to survive, including Coffee.
Hageland President Jim Hickerson said in a statement, "Hageland Aviation Services and our employees send our thoughts and prayers to the loved ones of those who died and were injured in the plane crash near St. Marys last night. Hageland is working to gather information to answer questions and do what we can to ease the suffering of those involved in the accident."