Man survives on Taco Bell Sauce

Chicago Sun Times ^

[Dallas]

CHARLESTON, W.Va.--A man trapped for almost a week in his car after it plunged into a ravine survived in the freezing cold by melting snow for water and eating packets of fast-food sauce.

Robert Ward, 32, suffered a broken hip in the crash and could not get out of the car. He was found Sunday by his friend Terry Likens, captain of the fire department where Ward is a volunteer emergency medical technician.

''I don't think he would have made it through the night,'' Likens said. ''He told us when we found him, he said he was getting ready to go to sleep for the last time. He had just about given up.''

Ward was in serious condition after surgery Sunday. Both of his feet were frostbitten.

The area's first major snowfall hit while Ward was trapped in his car and temperatures remained below freezing. To stay warm, Ward ripped the lining from the car's roof and used it as a blanket.

He also burned paper, including pages from his EMT manual, and melted snow to drink. His only food was what he could get out of an old peanut butter jar and sauce packets from Taco Bell.

''It's a bachelor vehicle,'' Likens said. AP

[Luis Gonzalez]

Click on the Bananaman!

[RFP]

WV STEREOTYPE PINGS )))))))

His only food was what he could get out of an old peanut butter jar and sauce packets from Taco Bell..."It's a bachelor vehicle,..."

[Timesink]

His friend (Likens?) is being interviewed on Fox right now, and is living UP to every West Virginia stereotype.

[KC_Conspirator]

His only food was what he could get out of an old peanut butter jar and sauce packets from Taco Bell.

Well, thats not bad. All he needed was some beer and mac n' cheese and he would have completed the diet of my college "food pyramid".

[Aquinasfan]

Folks, use this as a guideline for winter, how long does it take to put a bag of winter provisions in your backseat?

In New England it's pretty common for college age youts (like my formerly youthful self) to go on long trips in winter driving sh!tboxes wearing sneakers and a wind-breaker.

After one night of partying I ran out of gas in the early morning. Fortunately I found a HoJo's nearby where I spent the night drinking coffee. Since then I've always packed a heavy blanket and/or army coat, boots, an army shovel, etc. I've never packed food, water or matches, but that's a great idea.

The funny (?) part of the story is that a cruiser came by just after my car broke down. I asked them if they would get me some gas or take me to a station and they told me that it wasn't their job. 2:00 in the morning. 10 degrees outside. No kidding.

[PresbyRev]

WV bump

[Aquinasfan]

I wish news would sound like this more often, do we really need to hear about EVERY fire and EVERY shooting and EVERY murder every time they happen?

What else would the geezers do? They live for bad news.

My mother-in-law always charges in saying, "Did you hear about the murder in wherever? Isn't that terrible?"

Next time I'm going to say, "No, I think it's great!"

[Thinkin' Gal]

Taco Bell 1
Food Nazis 0

[Basil Duke]

Another reminder. I keep two wool blankets, a big bag of banana chips, a few cans of beans and ravioli, a first aid kit, candles, flash light, can opener, metal dishware, etc. in my truck at all times. You never know....

[woofie]

Dont forget the Windex

[Joe Hadenuf]

His only food was what he could get out of an old peanut butter jar and sauce packets from Taco Bell. ''It's a bachelor vehicle,'' Likens said. AP

Sure don't say much for bachelor's.

[Basil Duke]

To clean off the film deposited by the burning candles? (O, in my original, I forgot to mention toilet paper and a roll of Bounty.)

[Old Professer]

I guess ketchup is a vegetable, after all.

[Dallas]

and a bottle of tequila (mother nature's antifreeze)

[countrydummy]

very well said!

[countrydummy]

ugh!!!!! Please!!!! wastefullness? Who cares? but you did have to ask first! If she had not "grabbed" them, you would be fumming about the time it took to get threw the line, or you did not get good service! :-) admit it!!!!

[countrydummy]

Dallas, I love salt and ketchup!!!! I need those 7 packs! lol lol Is true!

[countrydummy]

such as????? Explain!

[RightWhale]

I keep two wool blankets, a big bag of banana chips, a few cans of beans and ravioli, a first aid kit, candles, flash light, can opener, metal dishware,

Big bag of banana clips? Must be planning to be lost for a loooong time.

[Basil Duke]

Nah. I figure the things are as brittle as poker chips anyway, so why not lay in a big supply? They're not going to go stale on me. Plus, if my son's with me, they'd be something he'd eat without having to be threatened with grievous bodily harm.