31/10/2022
FYI, the hike through the Moonville Tunnel is featured in Hocking Hills Day Hikes. This incident did not happen on the trail, but was nearby. Exercise caution.
Unfortunately, I am the bearer of bad news.
Many of you know Eva Simons from her participation in the cycling and hiking communities. Yesterday three unleashed, uncontained pit bulls attacked her. They pinned her to the ground and mauled her on the side of the road.
Our group of five, including Eva, started from the Lake Hope mountain bike trailhead parking lot near the dam and headed out on the Lake Hope Medium route which heads past Moonville Tunnel. The last house on the left on Shea Rd. has a blue heeler, which we saw sitting in the field playing with a stick as we passed by. We stopped at the tunnel for some photos. Eva stopped to check tire pressure at the cemetery road and we started the climb up past the lookout rock. She was straggling and yelled out that she was going to turn around. She said she would see us at the cars for lunch as we had planned after riding the first loop. I yelled back ok and that we would see her later.
Four of us continued riding the route. When we dropped off Long Ridge back to the cars we saw that Eva’s car was still there, but she was not around. If you know Eva it is not uncommon for her to ride on her own or go for a hike. We ate our snacks and Vince wanted some extra miles since the weather was so nice.
Vince and Amanda were first to the farmhouse (second house on the left on Shea Rd.) and then Frans and I came over the rise and my heart sunk when I saw the bike laying in the ditch. Sheriff’s officers were further down the road and motioned for us to stay away from the bike. Over the next couple of minutes we were given conflicting information from the officers. “She was taken to Logan to the hospital.” “She was air flighted to a hospital in Rio Grande.” “Her boyfriend Bob is at Grant Hospital.” “Her wounds were fatal, but someone saved her.” Nothing made sense. The officers put her bike into the truck to take back to the station and then stationed themselves in the road at the first house waiting for any movement by the dogs.
We were all stunned and in shock. We headed back to the cars and laid out plans to put the pieces together and help Eva. Back on the road we reached out to friends to connect with Bob Garrett her boyfriend. In the meantime, Eva, from the trauma center, reached out to Amanda via messenger and filled in some of the blanks. Our friend Mitzy was able to reach Bob and also get more information. This is what we put together.
While heading back to the car Eva experienced a flat and decided to walk. Around 1.25 miles from the car she walked past the first house on Shea Rd. heading west. The three pit bulls ran out from the yard and started attacking her. She fended them off with her bike but one of the dogs kept attacking her from behind. She continued moving west and was worn down from yelling at the dogs and fighting them off. She ended up falling and the dogs attacked her legs and dragged her from the road into the field. She fended them off with her arm which sustained puncture wounds. She also sustained puncture wounds to her back. Her lower left leg was so severely impacted from the attack that doctors have amputated her leg ABOVE her left knee. Eva endured 20 minutes of attack before good Samaritans arrived.
Heather Clark was first to the scene and others arrived to help as well. She said “there was a couple in an SUV who used their vehicle to deter them from Eva….I had my large walking stick and swung it frantically at them, just trying to be as big, loud and scary as possible. It was just something that needed done, honestly I didn’t know what to do either. Just that we had to get them away.”
"Just wanted to reach out and during this time and sing the praise of the couple in the SUV that chanced upon Eva Saturday. I was the first to witness and make my way to Eva, Anthony and his spouse, I cannot remember I think Joanie?, were in the SUV and able to reach here and deter the dogs first. I sure hope we find them because they deserve a huge thanks. Much love! ❤️"
Heather and the others saved Eva’s life by transporting her to the hospital in Logan where Eva was life flighted to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.
Some of what the officers said yesterday now make sense, except for the Rio Grande comment.
Today our friend Lisa and I headed to Lake Hope to move Eva’s car back home. On the way home I called the Vinton County Sheriff Office. The officer I spoke with would not say if the animals were contained or destroyed. He said “it was taken care of,” and that it was an active investigation. I pushed further and asked if it was safe to ride or hike in the Lake Hope region because our group has a lot of people who take advantage of the roads and trails. We saw a number of other unsuspecting gravel cyclists in the area. He said yes. I took yes as the animals were contained or destroyed and asked him if that’s what he meant. He said yes again.
Eva is still at Grant Medical Center in the ICU and had surgery early this afternoon and is now resting. She will be moved to a room tomorrow and may be in the hospital for at least a week. Because she sustained dog bites, she will now endure rabies treatment.
Some people have mentioned GoFundMe to help with her medical bills. Bob Garrett, her boyfriend, would like people to reach out to him before going this route. He is actively working on legal representation and would like to make sure it doesn’t cause any issues. ~ Ray
