Get ready to be inspired, amazed, and moved by the indomitable human spirit. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most gripping tales of survival against all odds. From harrowing natural disasters to tragic accidents, these stories will remind us of the strength and resilience that lies within us all. So buckle up and join me on this journey as we delve into the extraordinary feats of survival that will leave you in awe.
Jacob Miller: Shot in the Forehead
In 1863, during the Civil War, Jacob Miller, a veteran, was shot in the forehead at Brock Field in Chikamauga, Georgia, had this to say
Once I regained consciousness, I realized that I was behind the Confederate line. Determined not to become a prisoner, I made a decision to try and maneuver my way around their line and return to my own side.
After getting up with the aid of my gun as a support, I retraced my steps for a while before moving alongside the battle line. I reckon I was so drenched in blood that those I encountered didn’t realize I was a Union soldier. In fact, even our Major, my former captain, didn’t recognize me when we crossed paths after I made it back to our own side.
After enduring nine months of suffering, I was granted a furlough to return home to Logansport. There, I sought the expertise of Drs. Fitch and Colman, who performed a surgical procedure to remove the musket ball from my wound. Following a few days of post-operation recovery, I returned to the hospital in Madison, where I remained until the completion of my enlistment on September 17, 1864.
Seventeen years after sustaining my initial injury, a buckshot unexpectedly dislodged from my wound. Then, thirty-one years later, two additional pieces of lead emerged. Some may question how I can recall the events with such precision after such a long time. My answer is simple: the wound itself serves as a daily reminder, accompanied by a constant pain in my head that never dissipates unless I am asleep.
The entire scene remains imprinted in my mind, akin to a steel engraving. I do not share these details to assign blame or complain about anyone responsible for my misfortune and the enduring suffering over the years. I am grateful that the government has shown kindness by providing a monthly pension of $40.00 to support me.
Juliane Koepcke survives a plane crash
The story of Juliane Koepcke is truly remarkable. At the tender age of 17, she experienced the harrowing event of being sucked out of an airplane following a lightning strike. Falling a staggering distance of 2 miles while securely strapped to her seat, Juliane defied the odds and managed to survive. This extraordinary incident took place in 1971 during a flight on LANSA Flight 508, when the aircraft was struck by lightning, resulting in its disintegration. Juliane’s survival can be attributed, at least in part, to the fortuitous combination of strong winds during the thunderstorm and the presence of dense foliage in the Amazon Jungle, which likely helped cushion the impact of her fall. It is a truly awe-inspiring testament to human resilience and the power of the will to survive.
Juliane Koepcke sustained a fractured collarbone and a wound on her right arm. Despite these injuries, she displayed incredible resilience during her 10-day survival in the jungle. During this time, she faced the distressing challenge of maggots infesting her arm and endured severe bug bites. Juliane navigated her way by following a river and eventually discovered a boat hut where she encountered other individuals.
Fell Out of an Exploding Airplane
Vesna Vulović, a 22-year-old flight attendant, etched her name in history by surviving the longest fall from a plane. On January 26, 1972, Vulović embarked on a Yugoslav Airlines flight from Copenhagen to Belgrade due to a scheduling mix-up. Tragically, while flying over what is now the Czech Republic, the aircraft suddenly exploded.
Rescuers eventually discovered Vulović amidst the still-smoldering wreckage, with her legs protruding from the debris and the 3-inch stiletto heels torn off her shoes due to the impact. Despite suffering a fractured skull, three broken vertebrae, and various other injuries, Vulović miraculously clung to life after losing a significant amount of blood. Astonishingly, she remained the sole survivor among the 28 individuals on board.
Officially recognized by Guinness World Records, Vulović plummeted more than 33,000 feet (10 kilometers) without a parachute, making her the person who endured the longest fall and lived to tell the tale. In the late 2000s, new information emerged from Czech investigative journalists, suggesting that the plane was mistakenly shot down by a Czechoslovakian fighter pilot who mistook it for an enemy aircraft, contradicting the initial theory of Croatian nationalists causing the explosion. According to these sources, Vulović’s fall was estimated to be around 2,500 feet (800 meters). Regardless, her survival remains an extraordinary feat, surpassing the average height at which falling accidents prove fatal by approximately 27 times.
24-year-old Chinese Man survived Four Months Adrift in the Ocean
In November 1942, a British merchant ship called the Benlomond set sail from Cape Town, South Africa, heading to Paramibo in Dutch Guiana (now Suriname). Unfortunately, the ship was attacked and sunk by a German U-boat when it was about 750 miles off the South American coast.
The only survivor was a 24-year-old Chinese seaman named Poon Lim. He bravely jumped overboard and managed to find one of the ship’s rafts. Can you believe it? He even found a tank of water and some cans of food among the floating wreckage. Poon Lim used his resourcefulness to catch more food by improvising a fishing tackle.
For an astonishing 133 days, Poon Lim drifted at sea until he was finally rescued by Brazilian fishermen who found him just 10 miles off the coast. It’s truly one of the longest recorded survival stories at sea. When he was found, Poon Lim was badly sunburned and had lost around 30 pounds, but overall, he was in good health, except for an upset stomach from eating raw fish.
Surviving Against All Odds: Forced to Eat Human Flesh, The Andes Plane Crash and the Unforgettable Game
On October 13, 1972, an Uruguayan air force plane was en route from Montevideo to Santiago, Chile, when it tragically crashed in the Andes mountains. The plane was carrying the Old Christians Club, a rugby team, and their family members who were traveling to play a match against a Chilean team. Out of the 45 people on board, 25 managed to survive the initial crash.
However, their ordeal was far from over. Two weeks later, an avalanche struck the crash site, claiming the lives of eight of the survivors. Trapped in the freezing snow at an altitude of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), the remaining survivors faced unimaginable challenges in their fight for survival.
In an act of extreme desperation, the survivors made the difficult decision to consume the flesh of their deceased friends and family members, who had been preserved in the cold. This gruesome act was a desperate measure for their own self-preservation.
After enduring over two months without rescue, two of the athletes, 21-year-old Fernando Parrado and 19-year-old Roberto Canessa, made the courageous decision to embark on a treacherous hike through the wilderness in search of help. Their determination and bravery in the face of such dire circumstances is truly awe-inspiring.
After 10 days, they came across a livestock herder, and the following day, a search team in helicopters arrived to rescue the survivors. Their incredible journey was later recounted in both a book and a movie titled “Alive.”
Forty years later, the survivors were finally able to make their way to Santiago and participate in the game that they had missed due to the tragic crash.
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