Iraq War veteran lucky to be alive after trapped beneath tree for 4 days
An Iraq War veteran is lucky to be alive after surviving four days pinned beneath a tree.
onathan Cepelcha, who lives outside Redwood Falls, Minn., survived four days immobilized beneath a tree he had chopped down near his residence, reported Minneapolis TV station
The Redwood County Sheriff’s Department received a security-check call on Aug. 30, after the 59-year-old hero failed to show up at his workplace for two days, noted chief deputy Mark Farasyn.
An initial search of the grounds near his home was fruitless so authorities broadened their search to the rugged terrain further from the residence.
Cops then explored a steep hill with a ravine at the bottom. Pinned beneath a tall tree was Cepelcha.
The vet’s legs were stuck while his body was shoved up against the trunk of a second tree, noted KARE.
Conscious and surprisingly alert, Cepelcha was able to explain his injuries to Fansyn.
“He had the will to live, and he wasn’t ready to go,” said the chief deputy.
Cepelcha’s son, Miles, described how his dad managed to concentrate on surviving for so long.
“I was with him Monday in the hospital and he was kind of getting how he was able to keep from panicking, which was by breaking up the days into hours and then breaking up the hours into five-minute segments so that he could have little victories throughout the day that would give him little pieces of hope,” explained Miles. “He just tried to keep his mind distracted, and he did this hour after hour for 100 hours.”
Miles Cepelcha, speaking on behalf of his family, is amazed that his father was able to endure the harrowing ordeal.
“I’m still in shock,” said Miles. “We’re all still in shock that he’s alive and that he was out there by himself, but we’re better today than we were on Monday and Tuesday.”
A GoFundMe page has been established on Cepelcha’s behalf. It acknowledged that recovery will be difficult, notably with his feet. The victim’s right foot is believed to have suffered permanent damage.
But Miles is just thrilled his father is alive.
“The excellent work of the first responders and the medical professionals have made all this possible, and there’s no way to repay them for their combined efforts that have saved his life and limbs,” wrote the proud son on the fund-raising site.
The Redwood County Sheriff’s Department received a security-check call on Aug. 30, after the 59-year-old hero failed to show up at his workplace for two days, noted chief deputy Mark Farasyn.
An initial search of the grounds near his home was fruitless so authorities broadened their search to the rugged terrain further from the residence.
Cops then explored a steep hill with a ravine at the bottom. Pinned beneath a tall tree was Cepelcha.
The vet’s legs were stuck while his body was shoved up against the trunk of a second tree, noted KARE.
Conscious and surprisingly alert, Cepelcha was able to explain his injuries to Fansyn.
“He had the will to live, and he wasn’t ready to go,” said the chief deputy.
Cepelcha’s son, Miles, described how his dad managed to concentrate on surviving for so long.
“I was with him Monday in the hospital and he was kind of getting how he was able to keep from panicking, which was by breaking up the days into hours and then breaking up the hours into five-minute segments so that he could have little victories throughout the day that would give him little pieces of hope,” explained Miles. “He just tried to keep his mind distracted, and he did this hour after hour for 100 hours.”
Miles Cepelcha, speaking on behalf of his family, is amazed that his father was able to endure the harrowing ordeal.
“I’m still in shock,” said Miles. “We’re all still in shock that he’s alive and that he was out there by himself, but we’re better today than we were on Monday and Tuesday.”
A GoFundMe page has been established on Cepelcha’s behalf. It acknowledged that recovery will be difficult, notably with his feet. The victim’s right foot is believed to have suffered permanent damage.
But Miles is just thrilled his father is alive.
“The excellent work of the first responders and the medical professionals have made all this possible, and there’s no way to repay them for their combined efforts that have saved his life and limbs,” wrote the proud son on the fund-raising site.