2024-08-19 12:03:55
US Marine miraculously survives 220m fall in Pirin. After several life-saving operations and 10 months later, the man returns to Bulgaria to thank the people who saved his life – he also donates BGN 12,000 to the Mountain Rescue Service.
November 5, 2023 is the day James Barlow conquered Mount Vihren. Minutes later, the US Navy captain’s life was turned upside down.
“I don’t remember falling, hitting my head, having a brain hemorrhage and losing consciousness,” says James Barlow.
It flies down at a speed of 60 km/h from a height of over 200 meters. Because of the stormy wind, the fog and the cold, the tourist falls into severe hypothermia. His wife senses that something is wrong and seeks help.
“The woman was very worried. She said her husband was very prepared, but he didn’t come back. His young son was able to retrieve GPS coordinates on his phone and that helped us a lot,” says Ivo from PSS.
20 mountain rescuers set out immediately for the missing tourist. Ivo is the first to find James – 10 hours after the heavy fall.
“It was a surprise to us that he was alive. Our eyes became huge when he answered,” Ivo says.
Rescuers carry the injured tourist in their arms. Doctors from VMA are fighting for his life. A month later, James came out of a coma in a hospital in the United States, bTV writes.
“I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world,” James admits today.
Having fully recovered, the mountaineer, who lives his second life, returns to us. With a new mission.
“I would like to sincerely thank my rescuers. Thank you very much. I am grateful for all the efforts to save my life,” says James.
The NATO soldier and his family donate BGN 12,000 to the Mountain Rescue Service (MSS) for team training.
“It’s always very impressive when you meet someone you’ve been able to help and see in their eyes that they’re grateful,” says Ivo.
Together with Ivo and his sons, James climbs Vihren for the second time. He even finds his lost credit card, which turns out to still work.
“My family and I are grateful to you for life, because without these amazing people here in Bulgaria, I wouldn’t be here, I would have died in the mountains. There are good people in the world who really want to help others,” says James appreciatively.