A 32-year-old hiker identified by Belgian media as David sustained a severe puncture wound when his trekking pole pierced his body, yet he managed to walk 16 kilometers to reach an ambulance, according to regional news outlets including Het Laatste Nieuws, Het Nieuwsblad, and VRT.
The Incident and the 16-Kilometer Trek to Safety
The harrowing ordeal began when the hiker experienced an accidental fall that drove his trekking pole directly into his torso. According to reporting from VRT, the victim opted against calling an air rescue service because he reportedly did not want to pay for a helicopter. Instead, despite the traumatic injury, he stood up and completed a grueling 16-kilometer trek across rough terrain to reach waiting medical personnel.
“Three centimeters further and I was dead,” the hiker told publications including Het Laatste Nieuws and VRT, describing the narrow margin between survival and fatal internal trauma.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far did the hiker walk with the trekking pole injury?
According to Het Laatste Nieuws and VRT, the 32-year-old hiker walked 16 kilometers to reach an ambulance after the accident.
Why didn’t the hiker call for a rescue helicopter?
VRT reported that the hiker stated he chose not to call a helicopter because he did not want to pay for the expensive service.
How close was the injury to being fatal?
The victim noted that the pole penetrated dangerously close to vital areas, stating to reporters that “three centimeters further and I was dead.”
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