Yesterday, Saturday, February 18, 2023, God saved me from dying face down in a shallow creek pinned under my 4-wheeler.
I messaged my sister at 3:08 PM CST and then rode down past the pond dam to do a bit of exploring. I crossed a shallow creek that feeds into another creek and rode around. I rode back across the creek and started up the bank. Suddenly I slid back and was thrown off of the 4-wheeler. It landed on me lying on its left side. We later determined that it had thrown me, rolled 1.5 times, and landed on me. It had not been more than 10 minutes since I left the house.
I laid face down in the mud and water with the 4-wheeler running on top of me until around 6 PM CST. I had my helmet on. I had my head turned to the left where I could breathe through my mouth. My AirPods fell out of my ears upon impact. I tried to tell Siri to call for help several times. The weight of the 4-wheeler was on my back. My legs and feet were free. But, my arms and hands were under my chest pressed into the mud. I could not move freely or lift the 4-wheeler.
With half or more of my face in the water and the face shield of my helmet pressed into my face and upper lip, I had to just focus on breathing and prayer. I struggled in disbelief that I was in that situation a few times over the course of the event. But, God kept telling me that he was sending help and I kept praying that He would. I knew that I would either be with Jesus or my family by the end of the day. It was undoubtedly the longest prayer session I have had.
A little before 6 PM CST (based on later estimates) I heard Helen (11 year old) running up and saying "he’s alive". I was moving my legs to make sure whoever found me would realize. Helen lifted up on the 4-wheeler but did not have the strength to lift it herself. She ran off to get help. A couple of minutes later I heard Levi (14 year old) saying he was trying to call mom. I yelled at him to call and get everyone, whoever, go get them. Levi also turned off the 4-wheeler. A few minutes later Christy got there and said she had my parents and her parents on the way. When my dad (Tony Hall) got there, he and Christy were able to lift the 4-wheeler enough for me to roll out. I sat up on the side of the creek cold, wet, and muddy. Praise God I was alive! After a minute or two, I asked them to take off my gloves and jackets. I had work gloves and two layers of jackets because it was a bit chilly riding that day. After a few minutes, I was able to stand and walk back to the house. I was really cold and my dad gave me his blue jean shirt.
When I got inside, I quickly shed the rest of the clothes and got in a hot shower followed by a hot bath. After that, I warmed up and started feeling better. I was clearly sore. As far as visible injuries, I only had a minor scrape on my thigh. I might have landed on a root or something.
As I am writing this the day after the event, I am sore but ok. Mostly I’m emotionally scarred. We just went and got the 4-wheeler out of the woods. It has a broken throttle, mirrors, and a reflector. We were able to use its wench and open the throttle controller to get it to run manually. I drove it out of the woods. I’m not sure about the fate of the 4-wheeler. When I got out from under it, the first thing I said was that I was done with that and it was for sale. We’ll give it some time and see. If we keep it, it will be getting a roll bar. Maybe we’re more golf cart people.
Overall, this was an awakening experience. I spent time with God and had to rely on Him. He and I talked a lot. I’m not sure if I need to make changes in my life or what. But, I told Him that He has my attention and I’m listening for instructions.
Praise God I’m Alive!!!
