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14-Year-Old Miraculously Survives Falling Nearly 100ft
A 14-year-old boy miraculously survived a fall from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
According to reports, the child slipped while moving out of the way for tourists to take pictures.
According to Mail Online, it took two hours for emergency workers to rescue Wyatt Kauffman after he tumbled on a cliff on the Bright Angel Point route last Tuesday while on a family excursion to the canyon.
The 14-year-old was flown to a hospital in Las Vegas for treatment of nine broken vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, a concussion, and a broken hand and dislocated finger.
“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.
Rescuers had to abseil down the cliff and carry the injured child in a basket out of the canyon.
“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, the 14-year-old father, said he was in North Dakota when he received ‘one of the most heart-wrenching phone calls’ about his son’s fall and rescue.
“We’re extremely grateful for the work of everyone. Two hours is an eternity in a situation like that,” Mr Kauffman said.
He claimed Wyatt and his mother were visiting national parks when the Grand Canyon fell.
Mr. Kauffman stated that his son was released from the hospital and was being transported home on Saturday. Wyatt and his mother were due to arrive in Casselton on Tuesday.
“We’re just lucky we’re bringing our kid home in a car in the front seat instead of in a box,” Mr Kauffman told KPNX.
Later, he uploaded photos of his son in a wheelchair on Facebook with the message, ‘“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.”
In addition, he disclosed that one of the nurses had sewn him a t-shirt with the words ‘I survived’ as a personal gift.
“Good vibes and prayers for a safe, boring, and uneventful 1600 mile drive for Wyatt would be MUCH appreciated,” Mr Kauffman added.
