Montana plane crash survivor walks out with broken back

[flamingyouth]

SEATTLE (AP) -- Matthew Ramige and a fellow Forest Service worker survived a Montana plane crash that killed their three companions. Then, despite Ramige's burns and broken back, they walked 2 1/2 miles through the wilderness to safety.

Ramige, who will be at Harborview Medical Center here for about a month, was in intense pain during the trek, Dr. David Heimbach told reporters Thursday.

"His biggest trouble was trying to bend over to get some water out of the streams," Heimbach said after talking with Ramige in Harborview's burn unit. Without water, the 29-year-old could have suffered kidney failure, the doctor said.

"He's got a compression fracture of his lumbar (lower) spine for which he'll be treated with a brace," Heimbach said. "He's got no paralysis and that's quite stable. I think he's an incredibly lucky young man and tough as nails ... "

Ramige, of Jackson, Wyo., was listed in serious condition at the Seattle hospital, where he was joking with nurses and talking with his mother and other family members.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=WA%20Plane%20Crash%20Survivors%20Ramige

[Fenris]

1. What a bizarre story.

Amazing what the human body can do.

[flamingyouth]

2. Two other people survived too

I saw it on the news - basically the plane was completely incinerated, and when rescuers got there, they thought there was no idea that anyone could have survived it.

But he will get good care at Harborview - it's an excellent trauma center.

[Fenris]

3. And he just walked away.

Incredible.

[NoodleBoy]

4. ...with a broken back...

still impressive though.

[Fenris]

5. kick

[miss_kitty]

6. the amazing thing i thought

was they were preparing for the guy's funeral, his mom was composing the obit for her son, when the sister called...shiat!
the people at Harborview are great, too!