American photographer and content creator Kyle Quin Schrock, 36, survived a 60m fall while walking the Lapas Pretas trail in São Vicente on the 11th of October. A small bush stopped his fall, leaving him stranded until he could be rescued by helicopter. He suffered several fractures and faces a lengthy recovery.
Schrock, who has more than one million followers on social media, recounted the ordeal in a video shared on Instagram, describing how he thought he was going to die.
The accident prompted an air rescue operation. JM reported at the time that an American tourist had been injured on the trail. He was conscious but complained of neck pain. After being airlifted from the scene, he was taken by ambulance to Dr Nélio Mendonça Hospital.
Around a week later, Schrock explained that the ground had given way beneath him, sending him tumbling down the slope. A small bush stopped his fall and supported his weight, despite appearing too fragile to do so.
While clinging to the vegetation, he heard someone calling from above. The person had spotted him and told him that a rescue helicopter had been called.
“It was the best news I could have received,” he recalled.
Until rescuers arrived, his only concern was maintaining his grip and avoiding another fall.
In hospital, Schrock described intense pain from fractures to his spine, ribs and sternum. He said the days following the accident had been confusing, leaving him feeling as though his life was on hold and struggling to find any sense of normality or joy.
“I’m alive. I’m grateful to be alive,” he said, thanking the friends who raised the alarm and those who visited him in hospital.
His recovery is expected to take several months. His sister-in-law, Tara Schrock, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical care, rehabilitation and travel costs so he can return to the United States to continue treatment. The family says he will be unable to work for several months.
Entitled ‘Hope for Quin’s Healing Journey’, the appeal aims to raise $30,000 towards his recovery costs. According to the campaign information, Schrock remained in intensive care awaiting spinal surgery, while doctors monitored his other injuries, including lung complications.
Known for his Ever Changing Horizon project, Schrock has spent several years travelling the world, sharing photographs and videos of natural landscapes and adventure destinations. He has also collaborated with international brands and publications.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
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