Two men are counting their lucky stars after surviving a horrifying plunge off an Arizona cliff that could have easily spelled the end for both of them. The car they were in skidded off the road and fell 300 feet in Pinal County, near Apache Junction, on the evening of May 20, FOX 10 Phoenix reports.
Braden Faulk, the 22-year-old driver, recounted the terrifying incident in an extraordinary tale of survival. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the accident happened as Faulk was driving to celebrate his birthday with his friend when their celebration turned into a near-death ordeal. Sophomore Fire and Medical District underscored the treacherous conditions on SR 88, a winding route without streetlights where the crash occurred. Faulk said an animal darted into the road, causing him to swerve and lose control of his vehicle. "We rolled probably 300 feet over boulders and cactus and stuff like that. Then there was a drop off and the car fell, directly onto the roof of the vehicle. Another 300 feet. Just free falling," Faulk told FOX 10 Phoenix. He miraculously survived with just bruises and an unwavering spirit.
One of them managed to escape the wreckage while the other remained "trapped upside down in the bottom of the canyon," until a helicopter was deployed to rescue him, according to USA TODAY. Both were taken to a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition. Superstition Fire & Medical crews remarkably extracted the occupants, provided medical care, and transported the injured friends for further treatment.
Finding a silver lining in the mayhem, Faulk has gleaned a profound takeaway from the chilling experience. "That gave me reassurance. That everything, at some point, is going to be OK. You are here for a reason," Faulk said in the aftermath of the crash, as quoted by FOX 10 Phoenix. Meanwhile, to aid in the recovery and associated costs for the victims, a GoFundMe page has been set up, garnering community support for the two men who came face-to-face with death on a dark road in Arizona.
The Superstition Fire Department has issued a warning in the wake of the accident, urging motorists to obey speed limits and exercise caution on State Route 88, which, while scenic, has proven to be a treacherous stretch of road. "State Route 88 is beautiful but can be a very dangerous road if the speed limit and other cautions are not taken," they said, as they encouraged drivers to please drive safe, as per USA TODAY.
