On December 20, 1980, Jean Hilliard was driving to her parents’ home through snowy Lengby, Minnesota. Her car suddenly stalled, and she decided to walk to her friends’ home nearby. She lost consciousness because of overcooling and spent 6 hours lying in the snow until she was found. The air temperature was −22°C (-7.6°F).

When Jean was taken to the hospital, she showed no life signs, and her skin was so hard that is was impossible to give an injection. The doctors were sure that Jean was dead. Sometime after being defrosted, she started moving a little. After 3 days, she began to move her legs, and in 6 weeks she was considered absolutely healthy.