A man was rescued alive after falling into a 100-foot-deep mine shaft in Arizona on Oct. 15.
John Waddell, 62, went 48 hours without food or water while stuck in the shaft as rescuers tried to locate him.
His friend Terry Shrader finally found him at the mine in Aguila.
Shrader said that Waddell was trapped with several rattlesnakes around him, which he killed. He had a cell phone with him, but no service.
Shrader went to the area to check on his friend after getting a bad feeling.
“He called me Monday and told me he was coming to the mine. And we always had a deal, if he is not back by Tuesday [to come check on him],“ said Shrader, who drove out on Wednesday. ”As I pulled out my truck I could hear him hollering, ‘Help, help!’”
‘Fortunate’
“He is a very fortunate individual,” said Operations Commander Roger Yensen of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Mountain Rescue Posse, who Shrader alerted to the situation after driving away from the mine so he could get cell phone service.Fifteen members of the posse responded.
One rescuer rappelled into the shaft and assessed Waddell’s injuries, determining that he had possible ankle and leg fractures as well as friction burns to his hands. He was alert, but dehydrated and was given IV fluids.
It took about three hours to lift Waddell the 100 feet to safety.
He was then airlifted to the hospital in Phoenix, about 90 miles away. Waddell was in good condition Thursday at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, said hospital spokeswoman Alexis Kramer-Ainza. She said Waddell was undergoing surgery for two broken legs.
“Great job by all MCSO staff and volunteers who assisted in the rescue,” the office added.
