As death-defying, high-flying trapeze artists who work without a net, Davaasuren Altantsetseg and Nyamchimeg Soodoi lived with danger all the time.

But nothing could have prepared the two Cirque Hawaii troupe members known as "the Mongolian Angels" for the life-altering traffic accident that left both women seriously injured.

With the help of many people, including complete strangers, the two gifted performers are on their way back.

But they still have a long road ahead of them physically and financially.

During the early morning of Dec. 16, the two were riding in the back seat of a pickup, which got sideswiped by another pickup in Kapahulu, according to Jay Friedheim, their friend and attorney.

Altantsetseg, 33, whom friends call Dava, had her skull fractured in three places and suffered a host of other injuries including to her liver, neck, shoulder and back, Friedheim said.

In worse shape was Soodoi, 34, better known as Nyama, who suffered severe injuries to her head and face, and was on life support, Friedheim said.

"Virtually every bone on her face was crushed," Friedheim said. "I'd never seen a person so battered and still alive."

After a host of surgeries at The Queen's Medical Center and time spent at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, the two women are back in the one-bedroom Waikiki apartment they share.

Both need more physical therapy. Soodoi, additionally, needs time to heal from the surgical repair of her skull flap last week and then must undergo further operations.

But their problems don't end there. Cirque Hawaii's insurance policy paid for some of their medical bills while doctors offered discounts and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a substantial donation. Still, Soodoi's bills have climbed to $250,000 and Altantsetseg's to $170,000, said Chimidtseren Soodoi, Nyama's sister and a clinical immunologist who flew to Honolulu from Mongolia to help the women.

Meanwhile, without any income since December, the Angels are behind payment on their $1,300-a-month rent and the pair has been given until the end of the month to come up with the money.

Given Nyama Soodoi's fragile condition, relocating would be a major undertaking at this point, Friedheim said.

Despite their myriad problems, the women said they're grateful for the help they've received so far from their doctors, hospitals and friends both old and new.

Chimidtseren Soodoi, a cellular biologist as well as a physician, said the doctors and medical staff at Queen's and the Rehab Hospital have pulled miracles for her sister.

"If she was in this condition in my country, she would have died," she said.

Upholding the tradition that circus types stick together, Cirque Hawaii troupe members stayed with the women often in the days immediately following the crash and continue to visit.

Cirque Hawaii producer Cornell "Tuffy" Nicholas said the easygoing manner of Altantsetseg, who was serving her second tour with the production, and Soodoi make them easy to love. "They're both fun-loving, but hard-working young ladies," he said. "And they live and breathe their performance."

The world-renowned Mongolian Angels were one of the show's top draws before it went on temporary hiatus at the end of January as it seeks a new home.

"I've been a circus producer for many years," Nicholas said. "They are the No. 1 duo trapeze act in the world."

A close friend of Altantsetseg who is a contortionist even took time off from her Cirque Du Soleil job in Las Vegas to be with her Mongolian compatriot. Nicholas paid for her ticket and the woman worked performances for Cirque Hawaii, Friedheim said.

Altantsetseg said word got out among the small Mongolian community of about six or seven families and they have brought food, supplies and moral support.

"We didn't even know them before," she said.

'Ewa Beach resident Shimge Young brought the women's plight to her church, which in turn helped pay their medical bills, but she has also driven her fellow native Mongolian women to their physical therapy sessions and other appointments.

Ulziijargal Gurjav, a master's student at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, has brought Mongolian dumplings to the women.

Both said they're inspired by the strength and positive vibe they get from the Mongolian Angels.

"They're strong people," Young said. "It's been one roadblock after another to get this far. Physically and spiritually, this kind of tragedy could break someone down really bad."

Help is even coming from U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's office, which is helping the women renew their work visas.

"All down the line, people have come out of the woodwork to help," Friedheim said. "It's really amazing."

Given her injuries and long road to recovery, Nyamchimeg Soodoi's career as an acrobat is likely over, sister Chimidtseren Soodoi said.

Altantsetseg, who started the Mongolian Angels about seven years ago and recruited Nyamchimeg Soodoi to be her partner in the past two years, is determined to return soon to the circus world that has taken her around the world and made her a star.

"I still have strength, I still have power," she said.