- Indiana State Police say authorities rescued a man from a crashed truck after he was trapped for days.
- Police said two fishermen spotted the truck and found the man alive.
A man who crashed his truck into an Indiana creek survived for about 6 days by drinking rainwater — and he was only rescued when two fishermen spotted him trapped inside the vehicle, police said this week.
Indiana State Police said in a press release that officials rescued Matthew Reum, 27, from a crash in Portage, Indiana, on Tuesday. The agency said Reum's Dodge Ram went off a highway and overturned into a creek "sometime around December 20."
Police said two fishermen looking for fishing holes spotted the crash — nearly a week later.
The men "made their way to the vehicle and observed what they thought was a lifeless person," state police said. "However, when one of the fishermen touched the occupant, he turned his head and began to speak to them."
One of the fishermen, Mario Garcia, told WTHR that the man had nearly lost hope.
"It looked like he was really fighting to be there, to stay around," Garcia said. "He didn't want to go."
Police said Reum had been pinned inside his truck and couldn't call for help after the crash.
Reum survived by drinking rainwater while trapped inside his vehicle, police said, according to NBC Chicago. Officials also said the weather has been warmer than usual, which likely helped him survive, NBC Chicago reported.
"Had it not been for the two individuals that were walking the creek this afternoon, this incident more than likely would have had a different outcome," police said.
Police said Reum was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for treatment of "severe, life-threatening injuries."
Reum ultimately had to have part of his leg amputated, local outlet WLS-TV reported. He was still in the ICU as of Wednesday evening.
Mike Ortiz, a friend of Reum, described him as a "great guy," telling the outlet that Reum was "always smiling" and "coming to work in a joyful mood."
"He's a hard worker, too. Great welder. There's not enough good things to say about the guy," Ortiz told the station.
Reum released a statement via Memorial Hospital, WLS-TV reported.
"Matt Reum wants to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and all the well wishes, including the good Samaritans who found him, the first responders and his caregivers at Memorial Hospital," the hospital said, according to the outlet.
"Matt knows he has a story to tell, and when he is ready, he plans to share details of that experience," the statement said. "Until then, Matt has asked us to share this message, while also requesting privacy during this time for himself, his family and friends."
"No matter how tough things get, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes in the least expected way," the statement added.