The victim of a car crash that happened last Wednesday had been pinned in his mangled truck since then – for six days – unable to reach his phone and no one had responded to his screams for help. Abandoned on the side of a road in Northwest Indiana.
He was finally rescued when found by chance by two fishermen who were scouting the area for prospective fishing holes, who discovered the wreckage under a bridge on Interstate 94, authorities said Tuesday.
Nivardo Delatorre of Portage and his father-in-law, Mario Garcia of Hobart, came across the heavily damaged truck partially submerged in Salt Creek under a bridge on I-94.
Garcia said at a news briefing that he approached the wrecked vehicle, moved aside the white airbag and saw a young man inside. Assuming the man was dead, Garcia reached over to tap his shoulder. The man quickly turned around and was visibly relieved.
“I’ve never seen a relief like that,” Garcia said.
After being stuck alone so long in the cold, the man appeared shaken but was maintaining his composure, Garcia said. Delatorre said he called 911 and they stayed by the man’s side while waiting for law enforcement to arrive.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said, “Quite frankly, it’s a miracle that he’s alive,” adding that he didn’t believe the man would’ve survived another night stranded in the December chill.
A medical helicopter transported the man to a hospital for treatment. Fifield said he suffered severe, potentially life-threatening injuries. Garcia said the man’s hand appeared to be broken and had told Garcia his extremities felt numb.
