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The same remote, rugged southeastern Utah canyon where a trapped climber's decision to amputate his arm inspired the movie "127 Hours" has produced yet another extreme survivor, the National Park Service says.
This time it was 64-year-old Amos Richards' courage and wits that saved him from what otherwise could have been certain death, the NPS says. The Concord, N.C., man crawled through the sizzling desert landscape for four days and three nights after falling about 10 feet and breaking his right leg. Rescuers found him on Sept. 12.
A helicopter search team located Richards in Little Blue John Canyon, a short distance from where Aron Ralston was forced to cut off his arm with a pocketknife after being trapped by a falling boulder in a May 2003. Richards used the flash from his camera to catch the pilot's attention.
In addition to leg fractures, a dislocated shoulder and numerous cuts and bruises, Richards suffered internal injuries and dehydration from his painful sojourn as he attempted to get back to where he had parked his car.
The effort stretched into days, however, with Richards enduring cold desert nights without warm clothing. He did have five liters of water and two power bars, but no map — and he had not told anyone where he had planned to hike, the NPS said.
The search began when park rangers discovered Richard's abandoned campsite near the Willow Flat Campground several days after he had left on his solo hike.
The search for Richards led park officials to the park's Maze District, where Richards hiked after driving several hours. The Maze is considered to be one of the most challenging for hikers. Richards was ultimately located just outside the park's boundary.
Richards, who was taken to Moab Regional Hospital, has returned home and has declined interviews. Calls to his home on Wednesday went unanswered.
NPS officials said Richards was expected to make a full recovery, and on a YouTube video clip apparently shot in North Carolina — but apparently removed Wednesday — Richards was shown walking with the aid of crutches earlier this week.