A passionate rock climber from Montana, Cody Boehm, survived a horrific accident where he was struck by a massive boulder and fell off a cliff, crediting his survival to a piece of safety gear often overlooked by experienced thrill-seekers: a helmet.
Last Sunday, while climbing at Confluence Crag near Montana’s Custer Gallatin National Forest, Cody was hit by a microwave-sized rock that was loosened by a friend.
After being struck, Boehm fell approximately 50 feet to the ground, suffering a broken collarbone, seven out of 24 ribs, and a collapsed lung. He also endured severe lacerations on his back from the rock.
His helmet undoubtedly saved his life; had he not been wearing it, the impact could have been fatal, as stated by Boehm and his medical team.
“A helmet is a lifesaver, no matter the situation. That’s what saved my life today. If it weren’t for my helmet, I wouldn’t be here,” he shared with KTVQ.
Medical professionals at Billings Clinic confirmed that without his helmet, he could have faced a life-threatening “severe intracranial injury.”
Despite his injuries, Boehm remained conscious when rescuers arrived and expressed a mix of excitement and relief as they escorted him to a nearby medical facility.
Rescuing him posed considerable challenges due to the rocky environment.
“The area was filled with fallen trees, so they enlisted a tree crew to clear the path. The Red Lodge fire rescue and search and rescue teams were incredible,” Boehm recounted.
As Boehm heals, he finds new appreciation for life and has every intention of returning to climbing, vowing to always wear a helmet in the future.
