Read on Global NewsFrench Cyclist Survives Three Days in Ravine Sustained by Wine
A 77-year-old French cyclist miraculously survived three days trapped in a steep ravine after falling 130 feet down a mountainside in southern France. Unable to climb out or attract help, the man sustained himself on bottles of red wine he was carrying home from the supermarket. Rescue workers described his survival as miraculous, noting he suffered only minor injuries and mild hypothermia despite the cold, damp conditions.
In an extraordinary tale of human resilience, a 77-year-old French cyclist survived three days trapped in a mountainous ravine by consuming bottles of red wine he was carrying home from the supermarket. The incident occurred in the rugged Cévennes region of southern France, where the elderly man missed a turn while biking home along a quiet road, plunging down a jagged 130-foot slope into a ravine near Saint-Julien-des-Points.
The Survival Ordeal
According to reports from Global News, the cyclist found himself unable to climb out of the steep ravine after his fall. For three consecutive days, he cried out repeatedly, hoping to attract the attention of any passersby on the remote mountain road above. Unfortunately, the area's sparse traffic and the ravine's depth prevented anyone from hearing his pleas for help.
As time passed without rescue, the man turned to the only sustenance available—multiple bottles of red wine he had been transporting in a shopping bag. The alcohol provided both hydration and calories, though medical experts note this is far from an ideal survival strategy under normal circumstances.
Miraculous Rescue and Recovery
The breakthrough came when road workers from the Interdepartmental Directorate of Roads spotted the mangled frame of the victim's bicycle. Alerting authorities to the potential accident, they initiated a rescue operation that involved firefighters from the Hérault Fire and Rescue Service and a Civil Security helicopter.
Dr. Laurent Savath, chief medical officer of the Hérault fire department, expressed amazement at the man's condition. "He's a miracle," Savath stated. "In the cold and damp, with almost no food or water, he's incredibly resilient." Despite three days of exposure to the elements, the cyclist escaped with only minor injuries and a mild case of hypothermia.
Historical Precedents of Unusual Survival
This incident joins other remarkable survival stories where individuals have sustained themselves on unconventional sustenance. In 2023, a woman in Australia survived for five days in thick bushland by eating candy and sipping wine after her car became stuck on a dead-end road. Police praised her decision to remain with her vehicle, which ultimately enabled rescuers to locate her.
These cases highlight the importance of basic survival principles: staying with your vehicle or accident site, using available resources creatively, and maintaining hope during extended ordeals. While wine consumption isn't typically recommended for survival situations, these incidents demonstrate how unconventional resources can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
The French cyclist's story serves as a powerful reminder of human endurance and the unexpected ways people can survive seemingly impossible situations. His experience also underscores the importance of road safety in mountainous regions and the critical role that observant road workers and emergency services play in saving lives.
