Nah, the slow hop-hop-hop is like a jog. Mustelids can fucking zoom if they're in danger or after prey. Like, even dopey-ass domesticated ferrets can get going pretty damn quick when they've been hurt or feel threatened. Nobody has posted what species of otter attacked this lady, but river otters can reach speeds of 47 kph (29 mph) on land. Sea otters are slow and fat, but these weren't sea otters.
You aren't outrunning a pack of otters in a sprint. It's no question that you could outrun them over a long distance, but mustelids are zoomy little fuckers.
(note that I like mustelids and had 4 ferrets, so please don't mistake my tone as being sour on them)
EDIT: holy shit, ferrets can be bred and trained to run at like 22 mph. That's insane!