At age 18, Loren Schauers of Greater Falls Montana was driving a 4-ton forklift across a bridge under construction when it veered off the edge without a guardrail and plummeted 50 feet.

He tried to jump clear, but his leg caught in the seatbelt, and the heavy machine landed on top of him. He remained conscious the entire time.

His lower body and pelvis were completely crushed, and his right forearm was severely destroyed.