Man Breaks Own Leg to Escape Kayak After Accident
September 25, 2008 – 12:05 am PT by GregTags: Kayaking —
Most people remember the story of climber Aron Ralston, who was forced to amputate his own arm after being trapped. The story of 38-year-old David Wilson is not quite as disturbing, but just as dramatic. Wilson was kayaking in West Kiewa River in Australia when he became trapped under a tree. He created an air pocket to help while he tried escape, but was soon forced to take other measures.
“Once I started to come up and out the kayak the water pushed me forward and up trapping my shins against the cockpit rim and my feet on the bottom of the boat,” Wilson said in a statement.
“It was soon clear that I was not going come out so I pushed my upper body up to get the maximum force of water against it and leverage on my legs hoping that they would break,” he continued. “After a while with a sense of relief one did and allowed me to roll out of the boat.”
Wilson’s three companions had navigated the obstacle safely and one of them was a doctor who cared for Wilson while the other two hiked to look for help. The following day a helicopter airlifted him out to safety.
The paddler is expected to recover fully from his injuries — two broken bones in his left leg’s shin.
David Wilson being rescued after his accident.