14-Year-Old Boy Who Survived Falling 120 Feet off Cliff Reunites with Family After Hospital Stay
Fourteen-year-old Zane Wach, who miraculously survived a terrifying fall off a 120-foot cliff, has finally returned home after spending over two months in the hospital. The brave teenager had a harrowing experience when he accidentally walked off a cliff while climbing Mount Whitney in Northern California with his father, Ryan, on June 10.
Zane’s dad, Ryan, revealed that his son had to be put into a medically induced coma following the incident. However, after about two weeks, Zane began breathing on his own, showing signs of progress. Now, after enduring a challenging recovery journey, Zane is back home, as reported by NBC affiliate KNBC.
Although Zane has limited recollection of the fall, he is determined to revisit the mountain once he regains his strength. Despite feeling some discomfort while standing, he expressed that he is on the path to recovery and is in good spirits overall.
Doctors suspect that Zane may have suffered from altitude sickness, causing him to hallucinate before walking off the cliff. His father mentioned that Zane believed he saw snowmen and Kermit the Frog moments before the accident occurred.
Rescuers took approximately six hours to reach Zane, who suffered from various injuries including head trauma, a broken ankle, a broken finger, and a partially broken pelvis due to the fall. Following the rescue, Zane underwent treatment for several weeks and had to be intubated for a duration of two weeks.
In a heartwarming update shared on GoFundMe on July 28, Zane’s family disclosed that his recovery process, though slow, is steadily progressing. Every small achievement during his rehabilitation is seen as a significant milestone for the teen and his loved ones.
Initially admitted to a trauma center in Las Vegas due to its proximity to Mount Whitney, Zane was later transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in July. On August 15, Zane was discharged from the hospital and welcomed back to his hometown of Valencia with open arms, receiving immense love and support from those around him.
Grateful for the assistance he has received in his recovery, Zane expressed his gratitude towards his therapist and other healthcare providers. When asked if he remembers the incident, Zane indicated that he has no memory of the fall but remains optimistic about returning to Mount Whitney once he is fully healed.
In a touching statement, Zane’s mother, Leann Wach, remarked, “If we got scared and started living our lives based off of one thing that went wrong, it wouldn’t be much of a life. We can’t live that way.” The Wach family’s resilience and optimism in the face of adversity serve as a beacon of hope and strength for many.
The community continues to rally behind Zane and his family, supporting their journey towards healing and recovery. As Zane perseveres through his rehabilitation, his unwavering spirit and determination inspire those around him. The story of Zane’s survival and resilience is a testament to the power of perseverance and the unwavering support of loved ones.