Man Survives After Being Pinned Under A Tree For 4 Days

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A man was rescued Monday after being pinned under a tree for four days in Redwood County.

The sheriff's office says they were notified late Monday afternoon that 59-year-old Jonathan Ceplecha had been discovered under a tree, which had pinned both of his legs.

He had been cutting down trees on Aug. 27 when the accident occurred - breaking his legs instantly. Ceplecha lives alone and didn't have a phone with him.

He laid pinned under the tree for more than 100 hours, drinking sweat and rainwater, and eating whatever plants and insects he could reach.

His ex-wife found him on Monday after calls from his family went unanswered, and he missed the first day of school where he teaches.

The Redwood Falls Fire Department spent two hours working to free Ceplecha, who was airlifted from the area.

Ceplecha has already had several surgeries at Hennepin Healthcare. His family says there's a long road to recovery ahead.

A GoFundMe has been set up if you'd like to help with expenses, click here to donate.