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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.
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.
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Authorities acknowledge that particular stretch of road has been treacherous for drivers of late.
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