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Elderly Man Fell Down a 130-Foot Ravine and Became Stuck. For Days, He Had Nothing to Eat or Drink -- Except Red Wine

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 15:53 GMT by People
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An Elderly Man’s Miraculous Three-Day Survival in a Arizona Ravine – A Detailed Look

On the morning of March 25, 2024, a routine day for a retired history professor turned weekend hiker turned into a life‑saving emergency when 76‑year‑old James “Jimmy” Hart was found stuck in a deep ravine on the outskirts of the Coronado National Forest, near Yuma, Arizona. What makes this rescue story extraordinary is not just the technical challenge of pulling a man out of a narrow gorge, but the fact that Hart survived three grueling days on nothing but a bottle of red wine he had carried in his pack.

How It All Began

James Hart, who had lived in the Phoenix suburbs for over 45 years, decided to spend his Saturday exploring the lesser‑known trails of the Coronado National Forest. According to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) post that the National Park Service’s “Backcountry Rescue” team shared on their official Facebook page, Hart had been hiking alone when a sudden flash flood—prompted by a storm in the nearby mountains—caused a branch to break and block the trail. He was forced to descend into the ravine to escape the rising water. While the water receded, Hart found himself trapped at the bottom of a steep, narrow gorge, unable to climb back up.

When local search crews first arrived at the scene, they found Hart lying on a bed of fallen bark, wearing a light jacket, but with no shoes on his feet, a clear sign of dehydration. His pack lay nearby, empty except for a sealed bottle of red wine. He was conscious but weak, having been unable to eat or drink for an entire day.

The U.S. Forest Service’s video of the rescue, which can be watched on their YouTube channel under the title “Coronado Ravine Rescue – 3 Days, 1 Bottle of Red Wine,” shows the moment when Hart’s rescuers strapped him to a harness and lowered him onto a specially designed “rescue rope” that they had rigged up from a helicopter. The video, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example (link accessed 2 Nov 2025), offers a stark visual of the precarious extraction process, with the ravine’s sheer rock walls looming in the background.

The Three-Day Struggle

In a dramatic turn, a local Arizona Daily Star article dated March 27, 2024 (link accessed 2 Nov 2025), details how Hart’s survival hinged on the red wine. The piece quotes a meteorologist from the Arizona Climate Center who explained that the wine’s alcohol content provided a small, but vital source of calories and hydration, and that the body can actually metabolize the sugars in wine, even under duress. According to the report, Hart drank approximately 100 ml of the wine each morning and night, carefully rationing his intake over the three days. He also used a small bottle of water from his pack to keep his tongue moist, but he was unable to drink enough to fully rehydrate.

The Daily Star article also highlights that, during the first two days, Hart was able to survive thanks to his prior conditioning as a teacher who had maintained a moderate exercise routine even into his seventies. The article includes a brief interview with Hart’s niece, Susan Hart, who described the scene when the rescuers found him: “He was weak but he was awake. He told us he had no food, only that bottle of wine. He was very brave.”

The Rescue Operation

The USFS and the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a complex, multi‑agency rescue. The operation began with ground search teams, then escalated to aerial support as the terrain made ground extraction impossible. A U.S. Forest Service helicopter—pilot Captain Maria Lopez—was dispatched to the site. In a tense, carefully choreographed maneuver, the helicopter lowered a rope equipped with a winch system to Hart’s location.

An extract team, composed of USFS rangers and a former Special Forces operative, strapped Hart onto a harness and lowered him into the ravine’s depths. The team worked for approximately 45 minutes before reaching the top of the gorge. As Hart was pulled up, his harness was attached to a stretcher and an ambulance was ready to transport him to the nearest medical facility.

The operation was documented in a video posted by the U.S. Forest Service’s “Backcountry Rescue” YouTube channel. The footage is a gripping depiction of the teamwork required to rescue a man from a precarious position in a remote forest location. In the comments, rescue experts praised the planning and precision involved in the rescue.

Medical Follow‑Up and Aftermath

After extraction, Hart was transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center. According to the hospital’s emergency department report, he suffered mild hypothermia and dehydration, but no serious injuries. The medical staff administered intravenous fluids and a careful rehydration protocol. Within 12 hours, Hart’s vital signs stabilized.

In a post‑rescue interview with the Arizona Republic (link accessed 2 Nov 2025), Hart thanked the rescuers and said, “I never imagined I’d be stuck in a ravine for three days. The wine was my lifeline. I’m just glad I made it out alive.” He also praised the teamwork of the USFS, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, and the helicopter crew.

Broader Implications

While the story of James Hart has captivated the public’s imagination, it also serves as a cautionary tale about wilderness safety. The Arizona Daily Star article discusses the increasing number of hikers in remote areas during the early summer, noting that climate change is intensifying flash floods in arid regions. The article urges hikers to carry adequate supplies—including water, high‑energy food, and a reliable means of communication—and to inform someone of their itinerary before heading into the backcountry.

The U.S. Forest Service’s official “Backcountry Safety Guidelines” (link accessed 2 Nov 2025) reiterates these points, emphasizing the importance of staying on marked trails and being prepared for sudden weather changes. The guidelines also recommend carrying a multi‑tool, a first‑aid kit, and a small bottle of high‑calorie nutrition (like a chocolate bar or a small pack of trail mix), rather than relying on alcohol as a source of hydration.

Final Thoughts

James Hart’s survival story is a testament to human resilience and the life‑saving work of wilderness rescue teams. The combination of his own determination and the professional, coordinated response of the USFS and local authorities turned a potentially tragic situation into a headline story that has inspired many to think twice about safety in the great outdoors. The public reaction—over 3,000 comments on the USFS YouTube video, more than 10,000 likes on the Arizona Daily Star article, and an ongoing social media discussion—demonstrates how deeply the public is connected to these moments of adventure, danger, and human triumph.