Man Survives Six Nights In Wrecked Truck With Body Of His Friend

Canon City, CO — A man survived six nights in a wrecked truck with the body of his friend before he was discovered off a rural highway in Colorado.

Authorities stated on Friday that the truck, a green Ford F-250, carrying Ronald Lee Mohr, 59, and Richard William Koester, 36, went off US Highway 50 into a ravine roughly 85 miles south of Denver.

The accident happened on Friday, October 11, but Koester spent six nights in the truck with Mohr’s body until a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) worker found the accident scene, reports NBC News.

Fremont County Coroner Carlette Brocious stated that Mohr died of his injuries in the wreck and Koester was hospitalized with serious injuries.

She was surprised that Koester survived as long as he did, since the man had only long sleeves and light jackets to guard against near-freezing temperatures. The coroner explained, “They didn’t have any food in there that I saw. I just think he had an angel looking over his shoulder.”

After spending several nights in the wreckage with no water or food, a CDOT worker spotted the pickup, according to KFVS-12. Brocious explained, “They were down in a culvert and you just couldn’t see them from the road. It was just wonderful that the CDOT worker found them when he was looking over the guardrail.”

Along with low temperatures, Koester also endured light rain through the area. The pair was reported missing earlier in the week when they didn’t return from a trip to Cripple Creek, an old Rocky Mountain mining town now known for its casinos. KKTV-11 notes that traffic along Highway 50 was backed up for miles after the truck was discovered.

While Mohr died at the scene, it isn’t known whether his death happened in the accident, or if he passed away in the days following. An investigation is ongoing into the crash.

[Image via ShutterStock]