Photographer Survives 200-Foot Fall in Portugal After Trail Suddenly Gives Way Beneath Him

An adventure photographer from California is recovering in a hospital after plunging approximately 200 feet down a cliff while hiking on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Kyle Quin Schrock, 36, of San Diego, was exploring the island on October 11 when, according to his family, the trail beneath him suddenly crumbled, sending him falling down the steep terrain.

Schrock later described the terrifying experience in a video recorded from his hospital bed. “I thought it was my death,” he said, recalling the moment he began falling.

Incredibly, his descent was interrupted when he became caught on a small patch of vegetation. He said he was surprised that the grass and a small bush had managed to stop him from falling farther.

While he was stranded, Schrock heard a voice and looked up to see someone in a helicopter. The person told him that rescuers had spotted him and were coming to help.

“That was the best news I could ever get,” he recalled.

Rescue teams eventually reached him and transported him to a hospital. Schrock said he suffered severe injuries, including fractures to his back, ribs and sternum. He also appeared with visible cuts on his face and breathing support in his hospital video.

Despite the pain and uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Schrock made a point of reassuring his followers that he was alive. He thanked the friends who contacted emergency services and helped ensure that rescuers could reach him.

“I’m grateful to be alive,” he said, acknowledging that he faces a long recovery.

Schrock has spent nearly 12 years building a career as a photographer and travel content creator. He originally worked as an accountant before deciding to pursue his passion for exploring the outdoors and documenting landscapes around the world. His work has attracted more than 1.3 million Instagram followers.

The accident has temporarily interrupted that lifestyle. According to a fundraising appeal organized by his family, Schrock will need continued medical care, rehabilitation and assistance with returning to the United States. He is expected to be unable to work for several months.

His sister-in-law, Tara Schrock, said the road ahead would involve significant recovery and travel expenses. The fundraiser was created to help cover those needs while he focuses on healing.

Although the fall left him with serious injuries, Schrock ended his video with a hopeful message, saying he intends to return to enjoying life and pursuing adventures when he is able.

For now, the photographer who has spent years capturing dramatic landscapes is facing a different challenge: recovering from an accident he believes could easily have ended his life.

Source:  DAILYMAIL