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

[Sender]

I feel better about the stuff on the floor of my pickup now. I can always say it's survival provisions.

[copycat]

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

Hope for his sake he had "mild."

[Dallas]

I was thinking of cleaning out my console, but not now. You just never know....

[D. Miles]

Folks, use this as a guideline for winter, how long does it take to put a bag of winter provisions in your backseat? A large candle and a coffee can to burn it in, some matches, a blanket, extra clothing, some non perishable food, and a couple of bottles of water. Spending ten miutes gathering items and placing them in your car could make all the difference.

[anniegetyourgun]

Thank God for his friend who was determined to seek out the lost. During this holiday season, it kinda reminds me of someOne else who did that a few thousand years ago....

[jellybean]

Con't be left out in the cold!! Order The Clinton Legacy Cookbook todyay. Hurry before they're all gone...

[Skywalk]

Bless Robert Ward. It's wonderful news to hear that this man survived, though we find the Taco Bell sauce element humorous, this was very nearly a young man cut down in his prime.

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?

[Sender]

That's a great idea. I'm going to get a winter survival pack together this week.

[Charles Henrickson]

Last week I went to a fast-food joint and ordered a combo meal. It included one regular-size fries. I asked for some salt and ketchup to go with it. The girl grabbed a handful of each and threw them in the bag. I counted. For that one regular-size fries, this scholar working the counter gave me . . .

7 packets of salt and 9 packets of ketchup!

In the case of the gentleman in the story, though, the wastefulness of the counter help finally paid off.

[jellybean]

Sorry, I was in a hurry...The Clinton Legacy Cookbook

[ECM]

Whilt it's nice that he had taco sauce to eat, a humam being can easily survive for a week without food (presuming the person isn't already malnourished beyond belief).

Water, however, is a whole other issue...

[Dallas]

I don't understand that policy. The fast-fooders make you ask for ketsup, and when you do, they give you a handful. It seems like it would balance out, if they just included two packs per order ?

[Dallas]

Yes ma'am.....Like yesterday's heartwarming story

Woman Missing Eight Years Is Home for Christmas

[renosathug]

I love to slit the tops of the packets and just slurp it down.

Maybe I'll keep a few in the car now for "survival", instead of wasting them.

[Vic3O3]

ping

[Luis Gonzalez]

Great list.

Add a couple of flares and some back issues of National Review (or Playboy), and you are ready for anything.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

He survived, but their were certain...unexpected...physical side effects:

"What's everyone looking at?"

[Dallas]

LOL