It is “a miracle” for Christian Jouret. His grandfather, who had driven from his mountain home in Big Pine, California, to join his wife in Nevada, survived for almost six days in his car after getting caught in storms that swept the state, they told the BBC. and CNN.
On February 24, the 81-year-old man had been driving for 30 minutes when he accidentally found himself on a small road where his vehicle got stuck in a pile of snow. And for good reason, more than 3 feet of snow fell in Northern California at that time.
blanket and croissants
The mathematician and former NASA employee wore a light windbreaker, an inappropriate outfit to withstand these weather conditions. So, to survive, Jerry Jouret put into practice advice distilled from the “Survivor” show, in which candidates must survive on a deserted island, his grandson told the media.
To keep warm, he used a thin blanket and a hotel bath towel he found in his car. He ate snow to stay hydrated and candy that was in his car for his sustenance.
“He survived on snow, croissants and biscotti,” Christian Jouret said.
No signs of hypothermia
He would also start his vehicle very occasionally to warm it up and thus conserve the battery. But he got dumped after three days, when Jerry was trying to roll up his window. This worsened his situation since he later suffered the full weight of the negative temperatures of the following nights.
On March 2, six days after his accident, a helicopter finally rescued the octogenarian after locating a signal emitted by his phone. Jerry was taken to a hospital where staff were surprised to discover that he was showing no signs of hypothermia.
“I guess he was afraid it was the end of his days,” Christian said, noting that he himself had “cried a lot.” “Some of us thought it was over. Never give up hope, the human body is amazing,” he said.
Grandpa was eventually sent home to Big Pine and took a bus to Nevada. His vehicle is still buried in the snow.
Source: BFM TV
