Introduction:
A father-son hiking trip turned into an unimaginable tragedy when 14-year-old Zane Wach fell off a 120-foot cliff while suffering from hallucinations. The heartbreaking incident occurred on Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, leaving the teen in a medically induced coma and his family devastated. What followed was a long and painful recovery journey, supported by the love of his community.
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The Tragic Incident:
Zane Wach and his father, Ryan, were hiking up Mount Whitney in June when something went terribly wrong. As they made their way up the mountain, Zane began experiencing severe hallucinations, describing seeing “snowmen and Kermit the Frog.” His father, who later recalled this disturbing moment, explained that Zane began to doubt reality, feeling as though he was trapped in a dream, similar to the movie Inception.
Doctors believe that altitude sickness was the cause of Zane’s hallucinations. As the teen’s reality started to blur, he made the chilling remark that he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming. Moments later, Zane tragically walked off a ledge, plunging 120 feet down a rocky slope.
Ryan, overcome with emotion, turned to wipe tears from his eyes. When he looked up, it was too late. He reached out to grab his son, but Zane had already fallen.
The Miracle of Survival:
Despite the horrific fall, Zane’s survival was described by doctors as “fairly miraculous.” After six hours of intense rescue efforts, Zane was airlifted to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas. The teenager was put on heavy medication to manage his injuries, and doctors began the long process of weaning him off those drugs as part of his recovery.
Ryan Wach, Zane’s father, shared how difficult it was to witness his son go through the painful withdrawal process. “He’s been on a lot of heavy drugs. Getting off those is extremely hard and painful. As parents, it’s terrible to watch,” he said.
Support from the Community:
As Zane’s recovery progresses, the support from his community has been overwhelming. His teammates from the Hart High School swim team, where Zane was both a swimmer and junior coach, rallied together to send him messages of encouragement. A video posted by Key News Network journalist Austin Dave showed the swim team creating cards and notes to lift Zane’s spirits during his difficult recovery.
“Zane, we are thinking of you. We are rooting for you. We know you will get through this. We are here to support you. Your teammates are here, whether it be the Hart Swim team or the 002 Sharks. We will be waiting for you. We know you will come back stronger than ever,” said Linda Ortega, the Hart Swim parent board president.
The GoFundMe Campaign:
In the wake of the accident, Zane’s family set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with the financial burden of his medical bills and recovery process. As of now, the campaign has raised over $36,000 of their $40,000 goal, showing just how deeply Zane and his family are supported by their community.
Conclusion:
Zane Wach’s fall from a 120-foot cliff while suffering from hallucinations is a tragedy that has deeply impacted his family, friends, and community. But in the face of such a terrifying ordeal, his survival is a testament to his strength and the power of support from those around him. As he continues to recover, we send our best wishes to Zane and his family during this challenging time. Share this story to help raise awareness about the impact of altitude sickness and the importance of supporting those in need.
