A man who survived being severed in half by a forklift has revealed a shocking photo capturing the moment the machinery landed on him. Loren Schauers, a Montana native, was just 19 years old when he drove a forklift truck off the edge of a bridge in 2019.
The accident caused the heavy equipment to crush the lower part of his body and one of his arms.
Loren has since opened up further about the harrowing ordeal, sharing more insight into the life-altering incident.
Loren’s life was saved through an extremely rare and intricate surgical procedure called a hemicorporectomy — an operation that involves the removal of the entire lower half of the body.
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Hemicorporectomy, also known as translumbar amputation, involves the removal of the bony pelvis, internal pelvic organs, lower limbs, and external genitalia, following the separation of the lumbar spine and cutting of the spinal cord.”
Additionally, Loren’s arm, which was severely crushed in the accident, had to be partially amputated.
In the aftermath of this life-altering event, Loren and his wife Sabia launched a YouTube channel, where they regularly host Q&A sessions and share insights about their journey.
In one of his videos, Loren shared how he manages his bathroom needs after undergoing hemicorporectomy.
He described having a colostomy, a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the large intestine.
As Healthline explains, “Colostomies are performed to address issues with the lower bowel and establish new routes for stool to exit the body.”
Loren also mentioned that he has bilateral nephrostomies—tubes inserted into his kidneys that drain waste into bags. He explained, “That’s how I’m able to poop, pee, and pass gas.”
In a separate Q&A, Loren spoke candidly about his life following the accident and the impact it has had on his friendships.
One person asked him: “Do your friends still treat you the same way they used to before the accident? Are you happy, surprised, or disappointed by some of them?”
In response, Loren said (per MailOnline): “I’ve been a little surprised by some of them.
“A couple of friends came out of the woodworks and have been really supportive, [others] totally reverted and have been reclusive.
“But it’s whatever to me, you know, I got Sabia, that’s all I need.”
Loren has also shared details about the day his life was forever changed, saying he remained “conscious the entire time.”
He described being thrown off the forklift at the top of a hill, landing on his hips and right forearm. Part of his arm muscle was left torn and lying on the ground beside him.
According to the Daily Star, Loren posted a photo from the accident on Instagram.
The news source notes that in one of the images, if you look carefully, you can see him “trapped underneath the forklift.”
