Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Elderly Man Survived By Eating Bugs and Leaves for 6 Days After His Car Plunged Off Mountain Road
An elderly man missing for several days has been found and is hospitalized for several injuries sustained when his vehicle plunged off a mountain road in Angeles National Forest.
67-year-old David Lavau had been stranded at the base of a ravine for about six days, and sustained himself by eating bugs and leaves washed down by water from a creek, reports the Daily Breeze.
Lavau's vehicle tumbled about 200 feet off the road. His car was found in the 38000 block of Lake Hughes Road Thursday, along with another vehicle that contained a deceased man. Authorities are investigating to determine if the two men were involved in an accident together, or if they both went down the hillside in separate incidents.
Family members discovered Lavau's vehicle, after conducting their own search over the past few days. Lavau's daughter reported hearing hearing her father cry out "help, help." Another of Lavau's children told reporters their dad's first request after being found was for some chocolate milk. The children describe the area where Lavau was found as a "makeshift camp" their father had set up.
Support for LAist comes from
The occupant of the other vehicle has not been identified.
Lavau's survival story has gained national attention today, and was featured on NBC's Today Show. MSNBC reports on Lavau's condition:
David Lavau suffered multiple rib fractures, a dislocated shoulder, a broken arm and multiple fractures in his back, but none of the injuries was life-threatening, said hospital spokeswoman Bhavna Mistery. He was expected to undergo surgery and it was not clear how long he would be hospitalized, she said. He was doing well and in good spirits.
Authorities acknowledge that particular stretch of road has been treacherous for drivers of late.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist