He broke his leg, fractured both ankles, and cracked his ribs… but still managed to crawl off a mountain with his dog lighting the way.
Jacob Schmitt has been hunting his whole life with his loyal dog Buddy by his side. But during a recent trip in Utah’s Uinta Mountains, things went horribly wrong.
According to CNN News Source, Jacob was riding in a side-by-side on a narrow trail when it rolled off a cliff, flipping more than a dozen times. He was thrown from the vehicle and left with serious injuries. His phone and radio were gone. He was alone.
Except… he wasn’t.
Buddy had been riding in the back. And when Jacob came to, Buddy was right there beside him. Safe. Not a scratch on him.
And he never left.
With daylight fading and no way to call for help, Jacob splinted his own leg and started crawling. For 11 hours through the night, with only the light from Buddy’s collar to guide the way, they made their way down the mountain. Jacob told CNN it was his dog’s quiet presence that kept him going:
“The thing that loves you unconditionally is just there. It’s the biggest spirit jump.”
By sunrise, Jacob reached his truck and drove to a nearby diner, where someone called 911. He was hospitalized for several days, and during that time, first responders made sure Buddy was cared for, too.
Now they’re both home. Safe. Healing. And Jacob says he’s already looking forward to getting back out there, with Buddy still by his side.
Credit goes original owner