Across America: Utah hiker survives 4 days in drainage pipe
Daniel Samuelsen slipped, broke his leg in two places
A Utah man was stuck for four days after falling into a drainage pipe and suffering a broken leg, Fox13Now.com reported.
Daniel Samuelsen said he slipped on a steep incline last Wednesday, slid down the pipe and broke his leg in two places.
"I heard the crack," he said. "I knew my leg was broken."
While in the tunnel, often used by hikers to cross a roadway, he went in and out of consciousness. He was without food or water and contemplated suicide. Between the pain in his leg and lack of nutrients, Samuelsen said he knew time was running out.
"I'm willing to break my other leg just to get out of there," he said. "Because I don"t want to die in here."
He made a makeshift splint from a discarded board Saturday morning and managed to make his way out of the tunnel. His next mission was to flag down a passerby from the side of the road.
After several hours, he managed to get the attention of an off-duty EMT, who transported him to a hospital.
Samuelsen is recovering in the hospital. His broken leg is infected and doctors said it may have to be amputated.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
