911 call released after Indiana man rescued from trapped vehicle: 'It's a miracle he's alive'
PORTAGE, Ind. - A man was trapped inside of his crashed truck underneath a bridge in Portage, Indiana, for nearly one week after veering from I-94.
By nothing short of a miracle, two fishermen found him. And on Friday, FOX 32 obtained the 911 call made by the fishermen after the discovery.
The fishermen were scouting the area for fishing holes on Tuesday afternoon when they saw the man's mangled truck under the bridge, partially in the water.
The man, identified as 27-year-old Matthew R. Reum, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was believed to have been trapped in his truck since Wednesday, Dec. 20.
On Wednesday, Memorial Hospital issued a statement on Reum's behalf, saying he is grateful for the support he's received but that he also needs time to process what has happened.
"Matt Reum wants to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and all the well wishes, including the good Samaritans who found him, the first responders and his caregivers at Memorial Hospital. He remains in critical condition at this time. He has asked not only for time to process everything that he has endured since last Wednesday, but also for time to rest and heal. Matt knows he has a story to tell, and when he is ready, he plans to share details of that experience. Until then, Matt has asked us to share this message, while also requesting privacy during this time for himself, his family and friends. He adds, ‘No matter how tough things get, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes in the least expected way.’"
Reum's vehicle was discovered in Salt Creek, which is about one mile east of I-94’s Portage Exit.
Police said Reum travels frequently for work. Officials are still looking into what may have caused the crash. However, their preliminary investigation shows that while he was driving on I-94, the man’s truck careened to the right of the highway barrier, went airborne, rolled several times to the left, and ended up underneath the bridge. The final resting position of his truck was shielded by the bridge – leaving it out of view to those traveling the interstate above.
"It's a miracle that he's alive," said Sgt. Glen Fifield, PIO, Indiana State Police – Lowell Post. "We've been lucky enough that our temperatures have been above normal."
The fishermen who found the man – a father-in-law and son-in-law – spoke during a news conference Tuesday evening, saying their curiosity is what led them to the driver.
"It was very fortunate that we saw through the cracks of the woods, the shiny of the wreck, and curiosity that took us over there," said Mario Garcia.
Garcia, one of the fishermen, said he looked inside the vehicle, moved the airbag, and saw the man's body.
"I went to touch the shoulder and the moment I touched the shoulder, he swung around, he woke up," said Garcia. "He was alive, and he was very happy to see us, I’ve never seen a relief like that. He says he tried yelling and screaming, but no one could hear him, it was quiet, just the sound of the water."
Garcia says he and his son-in-law, Nivardo Delatorre, almost stayed home Tuesday, but due to the mild weather, ventured out.
"For me was the first time going [to Salt Creek] so it was just, we were put there for a reason," said Delatorre.
"It looked like he was really fighting to be there, to stay around, he didn’t want to go," said Garcia.
Garcia and Delatorre called 911 and first responders rushed to the scene.
Officials said due to the challenging terrain, it took quite a while for first responders to extricate him. He was airlifted from the scene to South Bend Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Reum is a member of the Boilermakers Local 374. The union released a statement, saying in part:
"We are thankful Matt is alive and grateful for the men who found him. Matt’s strong will and toughness speak volumes through this ordeal. We will continue to pray and support our brother as he begins his recovery. We thank God that Matt is still with us."
A GoFundMe has been set up for Raum for his medical bills.