A STUDENT survived a horrific car crash that killed her best friend by clinging to a tree in a freezing creek for 12 HOURS.

Natalie Griffin, 19, managed to escape the wreckage through a broken rear window after her friend Jenna Santos’s car veered off Highway 101 and crashed in Mendocino County, California.

She tried to help her friend but realised she had died in the horror smash on Wednesday night.

Natalie then managed to break free from the mangled wreckage and climb up a nearby tree to avoid the fast-flowing water of Outlet Creek.

The college student, who had been hiking and visiting friends in Humboldt County with her best friend before the tragedy occurred, then spent 12 hours shouting to passing cars for help.

Griffin’s cousin Monica Keyser told the East Bay Times that she used her jacket to shield herself from the stormy conditions and did stretches to keep herself warm as temperatures plummeted below freezing.

After failing to raise the alarm, she decided to swim to the other side of the creek at first light.

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A driver saw her emerging from the bushes and, realising she was soaking wet and barefoot, called cops.

Griffin was taken to Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital and treated for hypothermia.

She has since been discharged, with her mum writing on Facebook this week: "Natalie is scratched, bruised, and stitched up.

"There are many moments of sadness for her reliving the horrific accident and losing beautiful Jenna."

She also praised her daughter’s survival attempt adding that the college student had found "the courage, strength, and the remarkable wit to find a way to live!"

A fundraising page has now been set up for Santos in a bid to help cover the teenager’s funeral expenses.

The "In loving memory of Jenna Santos" GoFundMe page says: Jenna M. Santos's life was tragically taken in a car accident on January 11.

"Jenna and her best friend Natalie were returning home from a trip to Humboldt when their car veered off the road and into an overflowing creek at which point Jenna lost her life.

"Prior to the accident Jenna told Natalie that although short, this had been the best trip of her life.

"Jenna graduated from Castro Valley High School in 2015 and attended Humboldt State University.

"She will forever be remembered for her contagious smile, kind heart, and her ability to light up any room.

"This fund has been set up by Natalie Griffin and her family in honor of Jenna. Thank you for your contribution of any size – the money raised will go towards the costs and expenses of funeral services for Jenna."

Keyser, who set up the fundraising page, added: "Thank you god for giving my sweet beautiful cousin the strength to survive.

"My heart has been so heavy today knowing her best friend Jenna is now watching over her…. But I know that it was with Jenna's strength and comfort that Nat was able to make it to the road this morning and for that we are all so very thankful.

"There is no doubt that the days, weeks, and months to come will bring so many emotions for her and all of us.

"But for now we are just very thankful and our hearts are with Jenna and her family.

"Natalie is home and with her family who are supporting and caring for her during this difficult time."

Santos was a cheerleader at Castro Valley High School before she graduated in 2015. She hoped to become a psychiatrist.
One former schoolfriend, Kristina Galvin, paid tribute saying Jenna had "so many dreams in life".

Another, Jessica Uhlenhop, told ABC News: "She was so full of light and so energetic, there was nothing not to love about her, she never said one bad thing about anyone."

California Highway Patrol said Jenna’s car flipped before crashing into the creek at around 7.30pm on Wednesday.

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