Despite plunging nearly 100 feet into the Grand Canyon from the North Rim, a 14-year-old kid amazingly lived.
The child reportedly fell when he stepped aside so that people could take pictures.
Wyatt Kauffman, who was on a family excursion to the canyon last Tuesday when he tumbled down a cliff on the Bright Angel Point hike, took two hours for rescuers to arrive, according to Mail Online.
The teenager needed treatment for nine shattered vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, a concussion, a broken hand, and a dislocated finger, so he was flown to a hospital in Las Vegas.
‘I was up on the ledge and was moving out of the way so other people could take a picture,’ Wyatt told Phoenix TV station KPNX. ‘I squatted down and was holding onto a rock. I only had one hand on it.
‘It wasn’t that good of a grip. It was kind of pushing me back. I lost my grip and started to fall back,’ he added.
Rescue crews had to abseil down the cliff and get the injured boy out of the canyon in a basket.
‘I just remember somewhat waking up and being in the back of an ambulance and a helicopter and getting on a plane and getting here’ to the hospital, said Wyatt, who lives in Casselton, North Dakota.
Brian Kauffman, his father, recalled receiving “one of the most wrenching phone calls” about his son’s fall and rescue when he was in North Dakota.
We are incredibly appreciative of everyone’s efforts. In that situation, two hours seem like an eternity, according to Mr. Kauffman.
He claimed that when the Grand Canyon fell, Wyatt and his mother were traveling to see national parks.
According to Mr. Kauffman, his kid was sent home after being released from the hospital on Saturday. On Tuesday, Wyatt and his mother were supposed to arrive in Casselton.
Mr. Kauffman told KPNX, “We’re just lucky we’re bringing our kid home in a car in the front seat instead of in a box.”
He later posted pictures of his son in a wheelchair on Facebook with the caption: ‘HE’S OUT!!! Still in a fair amount of pain, but, HE’S OUT! Now they start the long ride home. Carol is hoping to do about 4 hours today and get a hotel.’
He also revealed that one of the nurses had made him a t-shirt which said ‘I survived’ in a heartfelt gift.
‘Good vibes and prayers for a safe, boring, and uneventful 1600 mile drive for Wyatt would be MUCH appreciated,’ Mr Kauffman added.