Fishermen's Shining Encounter: Unraveling the Miracle Near the Creek

According to officials, a guy in Porter County, Indiana, was left stranded on debris beneath an interstate overpass for several days.Photo byIndiana State Police

In the wake of the day after Christmas, Mario Garcia and his son-in-law, Nivardo Delatorre, set out in northwest Indiana, seeking fishing spots along a creek. A glimmer in the distance diverted their attention. Though prepared to conclude their excursion, curiosity nudged them toward the shining object.

Moving closer, they discovered it was a vehicle parked beneath the Interstate 94 bridge. As they approached the driver's door, they spotted someone inside. Initially assuming the individual was deceased, Garcia extended a hand, inadvertently startling the man awake.

Stunned by the unexpected movement, Garcia quickly sought help by asking his son-in-law to call for assistance. Thus commenced a rescue mission spanning almost a week, ultimately hailed as a miraculous feat by seasoned officials.

The occupant, identified as Matthew R. Reum, 27, disclosed to Garcia that he had been trapped since the prior Wednesday, unable to reach his phone or alert anyone for help. Despite his isolation and being firmly wedged in his seat, Reum persevered, surviving by drinking rainwater amid frigid temperatures that had plummeted to 29 degrees in Porter County.

The Indiana State Police marvelled at Reum's resilience, noting his extraordinary will to endure. Reum, gravely injured and nearly resigned to hopelessness, expressed immense gratitude upon being discovered, as he had been on the brink of despair due to his solitary predicament.

When emergency crews arrived, they faced challenges in accessing the wreckage site, necessitating the closure of I-94's westbound lanes for the rescue operation. Hours later, Reum was transported to a hospital for treatment.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear, with investigations revealing the truck had careened off I-94, missed the guardrail, and settled under the bridge in the creek. Despite the absence of crash reports and the wreckage's concealed position, the timely discovery by the fishermen proved crucial to Reum's survival.

Indiana State Police Sergeant Glen Fifield expressed doubts about Reum's survival had he not been found when he was. Acknowledging the severity of the situation and the chilling night ahead, Fifield speculated on the grim outcome had Reum remained undiscovered.

Reflecting on the fortuitous turn of events, Garcia pondered whether it was a miracle. Regardless, he expressed gratitude for their curiosity, acknowledging how their unexpected decision to investigate led to the timely rescue of a man teetering on the edge of survival.