DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Teen hiker who hallucinated before 120-foot plunge taken off ventilator as recovery hits ‘giant milestone’ – but he’s not out of the woods

June 28, 2025
in News
Teen hiker who hallucinated before 120-foot plunge taken off ventilator as recovery hits ‘giant milestone’ – but he’s not out of the woods
502
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The California teen who hallucinated before walking off a 120-foot cliff during a hike is finally off a ventilator — but his battle is far from over, his family said.

Zane Wach, 14, remains in a medically induced coma following his terrifying June 10 fall on Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. But his family says the removal of his breathing tube this week marks a “giant milestone” in his recovery as doctors begin weaning him off sedation.

“(This) opens the door to many new steps forward,” Zane’s father, Ryan Wach, wrote in an update shared Friday by the teen’s grandmother, Lisa Hinrichsen-Wach. “He’s not doing much else at the moment, the largest focus is watching closely so that he does well breathing on his own … and being able to cough and swallow.”

Photo of Zane Wach hiking in the snow.
Zane Wach, 14, remains in a medically induced coma following his June 10 fall on Mount Whitney. But his family says the removal of his breathing tube this week marks a “giant milestone” in his recovery. GoFundMe

The Santa Clarita teen was placed in a coma after suffering severe head trauma, as well as a broken ankle, finger and pelvis, according to SFGate. He was hiking with his father when he began hallucinating — claiming to see “snowmen and Kermit the Frog” — in what doctors believe was a case of altitude sickness.

“He essentially started to doubt reality,” his father previously told reporters. “Like he was in the movie ‘Inception’ or something.”

Just moments after saying he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming, Zane walked toward a jagged ledge and tumbled an estimated 120 feet down the rocky slope. Ryan, who had turned away to wipe tears from his eyes, tried to reach for him, but was too late.

Photo of Zane Wach, 14.
Zane was hiking with his father, Ryan Wach, when he began hallucinating, claiming to see “snowmen and Kermit the Frog” — in what doctors believe was a severe case of altitude sickness. GoFundMe

The boy was rescued after six grueling hours on the mountain and airlifted to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas — the closest pediatric trauma center. Doctors later said it was “fairly miraculous” that he wasn’t injured further, his father told SFGate. 

Zane is now experiencing “painful” withdrawal symptoms as doctors begin weaning him off the powerful drugs he’s been on for more than two weeks, according to the latest update.

“He’s been on a lot of heavy drugs,” Ryan wrote. “Getting off those is extremely hard and painful. As parents it’s terrible to watch.”

According to the latest update shared by Hinrichsen-Wach, Zane is now experiencing “painful” withdrawal symptoms as doctors begin to wean him off the powerful drugs he has been on for more than two weeks. GoFundMe

Meanwhile, Zane’s school community is stepping up. 

A video posted by Key News Network journalist Austin Dave shows members of the Hart High School swim team — where Zane was a swimmer, junior coach and teammate — making heartfelt cards and notes of encouragement for their friend.

“Zane, we are thinking of you. We are rooting for you. We know you will get through this,” said Linda Ortega, Hart Swim parent board president. “We are here to support you. Your teammates are here, whether it be the Hart Swim team or the 002 Sharks. We will be waiting for you. We know you will come back stronger than ever.”

Photo of Zane Wach, 14.
“Growing up an 002 Shark means being part of a community that rallies for each other,” the GoFundMe campaign reads, as supporters raise funds to help Zane Wach’s family through his recovery. GoFundMe

A GoFundMe campaign supporting the family has already raised more than $28,000, helping cover mounting travel and lodging costs while urging continued prayers and support.

“Each step, no matter how hard, is a step,” one commenter on Hinrichsen-Wach’s Facebook post wrote. “Praying for your full recovery Zane.”

The post Teen hiker who hallucinated before 120-foot plunge taken off ventilator as recovery hits ‘giant milestone’ – but he’s not out of the woods appeared first on New York Post.

Tags: CaliforniacomaFacebookfallfamilyhikingmedical carewithdrawal
Share201Tweet126Share
Why Trump Is Welcoming Any Distraction From Epstein: Author
News

Why Trump Is Welcoming Any Distraction From Epstein: Author

by The Daily Beast
October 21, 2025

President Donald Trump views the barrage of criticism hounding him as a welcome distraction from a relentless onslaught of leaks ...

Read more
News

An elephant family smashed pumpkins at the Oregon Zoo. But this baby just wanted to play ball

October 21, 2025
News

Federal Workers Told to Stop Taking Photos of White House Destruction

October 21, 2025
News

MAGA Beauty Queen’s Threat to Prosecute Her Own Prosecutors

October 21, 2025
News

‘Chicago P.D.’ Star Patrick John Flueger Taking Leave Of Absence From Show

October 21, 2025
Convicted felon federally charged after threatening Atlanta airport while armed with AR-15 rifle

Convicted felon federally charged after threatening Atlanta airport while armed with AR-15 rifle

October 21, 2025
Trump’s special counsel pick Paul Ingrassia withdraws nomination after disturbing ‘Nazi streak’ text scandal

Trump’s special counsel pick Paul Ingrassia withdraws nomination after disturbing ‘Nazi streak’ text scandal

October 21, 2025
Where will fans find NBA games on TVs or streaming devices this season? The league has an answer

Michael Jordan is going to be part of NBC’s NBA coverage. His reason: to give back to the game

October 21, 2025

Copyright © 2025.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2025.