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Augusta Liddic / The Daily Times via AP
Ricky Gilmore shows a reporter the pair of jeans he was wearing when he dragged himself down a road near Tocito, N.M., last week.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A paraplegic man, who says he was stranded in the New Mexico desert without his wheelchair, dragged himself about four miles down a dirt road over three days before a motorist stopped to help him.
Tattered and dirty, Ricky Gilmore's blue jeans tell part of the story. His body tells the rest -- the skin on his left leg and buttocks is shredded, his wrist is sprained and his kidneys are in bad shape from going without food and water.
"Ah man, I'm just a big mess. I ache and I'm just in the first stages of healing," he told The Associated Press on Tuesday from his hospital bed at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, N.M.
Gilmore, 49, is being treated for acute kidney failure from dehydration, a sprained wrist and a blood infection. He spent two days in intensive care and it could be at least another week before he can go home.
The Farmington Daily Times first reported Gilmore's story. The newspaper reported that Gilmore filed a report with the Shiprock Police Department. No officials at the department were immediately available to confirm details of the report.
Found on side of the road
Gilmore was found along a seldom traveled road on the Navajo Nation about 10 miles from his home in Newcomb, which is on the eastern side of the reservation.
Gilmore said he was dropped in the desert by a couple in a white truck who he met while he was hitchhiking on Oct. 16. He had invited them to his home for steaks and they later went for what Gilmore thought was going to be a joyride.
When he declined to share his alcohol with them, Gilmore said the man grabbed him by his feet and threw him out of the truck while parked along the desolate road.
“I did not want to fight back,” he told the Daily Times. “If I did fight back all hell would come loose. ... I know gangsters like that, they just that start clubbing away."
It was early evening and Gilmore had nothing -- no wheelchair, no food, no water, no coat -- to help him endure the flat desert scrubland.
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He said he spent the first night under a bush. But with the sunrise, survival mode kicked in.
Gilmore said he attempted to flag down at least two passing cars as he dragged himself along the road, but they only honked and kept going.
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Body temperature plummets
After spending a second night at the side of the road, Gilmore said he woke up sore and thirsty and did not want to move, but continued onward anyway.
On the third afternoon, a man in a blue pickup truck stopped and called for help. Gilmore said doctors told him his body temperature was 94 when he was found. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees.
He told the AP that his plan for when he gets released from the hospital was simple: "Go home and pray, take inventory and just get a good night sleep in my own bed and heal."
Read more on this story on NBC's Albuquerque affiliate KOBTV.com
Gilmore told the Daily Times that he had been hitchhiking for 19 years, ever since he lost the use of his legs in a motorcycle accident on his 30th birthday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
As John Callahan said, "He won't get far on foot."
Mr. Gilmore has never watched a single mob film. When strangers suggest that you go for a ride with them, an alarm should be blaring in your head and your response is always NO THANK YOU.
He's lucky they threw him out - it probably could have gotten a lot worse.
What a moron.. first, doesn't he have any friends or family? Or even just call the local community center. Hitchhiking? Who would pick up a guy in a wheelchair in this day and age, it would look too suspicious and crawling along the side of the road may be why no one stopped to help him during his ordeal.
Next, when he gets home he will be lucky if there is anything of value left since this couple knows where he lives. He may want to have the police dept. go check it out first.
Joy5711----Apparently you know a lot about this, for whatever reason!, but I have seen lots of hitch hikers all over USA traveling for over 70 K a year for 40 years, and especially those who have been poorly served by the non existing(or very poor) health care for those who can not work and a 600 Dollar a month disability check!--like the ones begging behind the 2600 food plants, I have visited all these years.
I would have picked him up, sometimes I actually got a minivan for rental. And when in uniform back in the day, we hitch hiked all over!
PS, not everyone walks aropund with a computer to call anyone---especially when that alone cost over 2 K a year in charges---get real people,and try to know how it really is in USA!
You're kidding right? Sounds like you have never ventured very far from big city limits or off the interstate.
let me get this straight; he was HITCHHIKING!
Ah, yes, it's the old "paraplegic crawling in the desert" ruse.
It's sad that people are too scared or suspicious to stop and help someone who might be in trouble. It takes how long to stop, roll down the window of a car and ask "Need some help?"
If you don't feel comfortable getting out of the car to lend a hand, since most folks carry a cell phone with them, just dial 911 and let the police know that there is someone who seems to be in trouble. What does it really cost you? You might be saving a life.
You are the MAN, Mr. Gilmore!
and the horse you rode in on- The people who picked him up I would guess, didn't suggest he ride with them.The article states he was looking for a ride as a hitchhiker. Something he had done for 19 years. I must confess, decades ago, I too used to hitchhike. After I joined the Marine Corps, I got rides back and forth numerous times across the country to visit family. While I didn't really have any issues, I did my best to check screen cars/trucks which stopped for me. If I felt uncomfortable with those which stopped for some reason, I backed out.
-Carolyn-1500288-Lots of people hitchhike.For those who don't or can't afford a car, it provides one way of meeting a critical need. Most often it's men hitchhiking. Although it is illegal to do so in many states and on Federal highways. As for inviting strangers in for dinner, there was a time when reciprocating to those who have helped you out, could easily include offering people a meal at a diner or home, filling up a car with gas, or some other form of showing gratitude. I know this concept seems alien to most people now days.
ONELEGWONDER- It may be that Mr.Gilmore doesn't have his wheelchair working right or has found people won't pick him up in it. Trying to find drivers who have cars capable of storing it for this hitchhiker may have proved to be too much an issue. So Mr.Gilmore has learned it's easier to just keep it at home. Having used a wheelchair myself, I can tell you, it's a huge hassle for people to make space for it and cumbersome to fold and manipulate into and out of their cars.
In addition, to blame this man for the actions of others is silly and illogical.He obviously doesn't use a car, so depends on the help of others. That those people may take advantage of him, is not his fault. And not giving alcohol to a driver in a car, is a wise decision. Although he was left on the side of a road for doing so. Being disabled is a very frustrating situation for it means one is forced at times to compromise on their principals and choices. Having to depend on another, leading to frustration and taking risks normally thought never an option if not disabled.
amen. and anyone who has lived in New Mexico knows that we have some trusting souls here. I am very sorry that happened to him, and if I ever find out who did that to him, I will be seeing that he and she go to jail.
Windancersong-1494878: Well Said!! It amazes me how judgmental people in this country are! This man was a victim and the ignorance shown from people on this message board towards Mr. Gilmore is astounding. Good to know there are still some people left with a good head on their shoulders and can look at all aspects of this unfortunate situation. I am glad he is going to be ok!
What an idiot. Who hitchhikes and/or invites total strangers into his home for dinner? He's lucky they didn't kill him.
He's probably really lonely, seems like hitching a ride is how he gets around.
I travel that desert once a month on business. I'm suprised it was only 4 miles and not 24 miles. And let me tell you I've seen some sites out there......
Traveling from Farmington to Grants two years ago in January it was 20 degrees, iced roads, blowing and snowing, wind chill was probably in the -5 range. I hadn't seen or passed another vehicle for over an 1-1/2 hrs. I was about 2 miles south of the Navajo Service road 9 - 509 junction. "No" one but a idiot salesman would be out on those roads (me). I came around a corner and here's a guy in a light nylon jacket, light flannel shirt, t-shirt, worn tennis shoes and jeans that's walking 40 miles to Grants. Against company policy I picked him up and gave him a ride. When he got in he was already passed the initial stages of hypothermia, mumbling and shaking uncontrollably. I drove with the heat on high the rest of way.....
When his teeth stopped chattering so much he told me he was going to Grants to get drunk.
sd, damn, thats dedication.i get tired walking to the fridge to get a beer.
RB, ROFLMAO!!!! Must be really boring living out in the middle of nowhere...without a vehicle! Think I'll eat me some more peyote and head on down to the local saloon. :O
Carolyn..................alcohol was involved here.
in a wheelchair!
SD PAULSON-as a native as well, i can tell you that, there is EXTREME poverty on all reservations....
drinking is the big tranquilizer for despair..... there are forgotten people all over this country......
S-1716322, I travel most areas of 10 western states for business and can verify the poverty conditions. I happened to visit the next morning at a cafe' with a deputy sheriff in Grants NM who explained the tragic "epidemic" of exposure deaths that occur during winter months on reservations.....
He did thank me for being a good samaritan but also said he'd bet a paycheck that fellow I gave the ride too would be one of those casualties shortly.....
what a dumbass, you go to the desert without your wheel chair, with strangers! what do you expect, it's your own stupid fault, you are just one of many idiots in america
Jeez,
anger issues much?
I give him credit for having the strength and will to live to make it out of that situation, but it would have been much easier to just share the booze.
Mr Gilmore, I feel so grateful you were able to get away from that scum, who knows what they could have done if they did find out where you lived, after you refused them drink. If they could do that to you at the side of the road whe could imagine what they could have done to you at your own home. For the other car to see you and drive by and just honk, who knows what goes through their minds. Sounds like the Good Samaritan, expecially for the truck to stop and seek the much needed help for you. You may not have survived if he hadn't.
I am sorry to hear about all the health problem you are dealing with your torn body, infection, and liver damage. I hope you heal fast and are able to go on, you have a trusting heart. Shows you are a good man with a trust in mankind, not a trait you can find in these horrible days, as you learned personally. My prayers goes out to you. May God bless you with a speedy recovery, and the ability to come across motorist that don't have ulterior motives to get you to ride with them, and abandon you when you don't meet their needs.
Read the article................. They went to his house for Dinner first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It wasn't the smartest thing to do. But it sure is a shame our country has come to such a state that people won't stop and help a crawling man in the desert. We can't even walk down the street to work or to the store without wondering if someone is going to abduct us or our children. I wish someone would try to do something like that to me. They might be in for a surprise.
He was on an Indian reservation in New Mexico - a lot of this area isn't well traveled. I've been through there on our way to Durango and it's pretty isolated.
While I might be afraid to stop, I would call for help. I hate to say it, but there needs to be a balance between helping and safety. I'm so happy that someone felt safe enough and the compassion to stop.
My hopes are that you recover quickly!
I remember a day when you didn't hesitate to stop and pick a hitch hiker, boy those were the good ole days.
That's amazing! But I almost bet anything that in a survival situation, where there would be no food and water, a parapalegic would have a better chance of survival just cause they wouldn't be wasting as much energy as somebody with legs. Somebody with legs would be more frantic and burning more energy walking around franticly and raising body temperature. Just a bubble bursting theory, but still amazing he survived!
But if he had been able to use his legs he would not have been there more than a very few hours. He could have walked that four miles in less than 2-3 hours!
Four miles out there - maybe an hour walk, you can pick a landmark and head for it. You don't walk around in circles.
he was on a road... geez dont you read?
OK, Im glad he made it. He had the will to not give up. So for that I will give him props for that. However, strangers to your house for food, and then a joyride? Come on. Have some common sense dude. Use your head for something other than a hatrack. You got off light this time. Next time think before you fire up the BBQ. I remember a character in Star Trek once said. "Luck is the guardian of idiots, fools and little ships called Enterprise."
Maybe the guy invited total strangers into his home because he needed a ride home. And he was dumped in the desert without his wheel chair. Maybe next time he will take a gun along with him and shoot out the trucks tires.
Something is messed up abou this whole story.
What an idiot. But he made it. Now he can do something stupid again. Again what an idiot.
Fellow cold hearted conservatives. Yes, this cripple drunk is lucky but does show typical American survival pluck. But there's stupidity on board as well, as others here aver, lubricated, as is often the case, by alcohol. I wonder what this dumb little adventure cost the taxpayers in term of hospital costs, etc. Probably in the mid 6 figures, and I'd bet a pair of 40's that private insurance wasn't involved. There's no shortage of this dipshyte behavior, at all levels of socioeconomic status. Fat, toothless, unshaven slobs on noisy gleaming Harleys juiced up and sans helmet or other proper riding gear, pulling a Duane Allman. Idiotic squeaky clean yuppy couples on unsound and improperly provisioned smaller sailing craft, attempting a first offshore passage, with marginal sailing skills, dismasted in relatively minor chop, and on the VHF begging for costly Coast Guard rescue. Repeatedly abused domestic partners (men and women), returning back to the trenches, only to take another ride on a dangerously and costly escalating roller coaster of repeat violence. And people get upset at the suggestion that these wards of the state receiving free medical care should be assessed some sort of copayment appropriate to their circumstance, and in any case, usually much less than their bling, coiffes, booze or saygerettes, etc. No wonder that all these accidents tend to repeat themselves where possible, and clinic patient compliance with appointments, followup visits, referrals, suggestions for lifestyle change,---all remain so low. Any doubters here among you bleeding heart turnip heads? Aa.
What. The living. Actual. F***.
cynical and snide... your such a ray of sunshine. Maybe you would do well to crawl back into that safety bubble you must live in.. Yes this guy was stupid but other true accidents are not done out of attempt to be treated or abuse the help provided by emergency facilities or people. So take your sour attitude and go hide.
If he had given them the alcohol (which is considered GOLD on the rez), all three could be dead- which could be construde as population control for two, but not for him... unfortunately, this just goes to show how rediculous it is on the Navajo Reservation- people honking as they drive past a person in distress, not to mention taking advantage of a hurt person. They probably see it all the time and thought "oh, there's another that's been on the firewater- keep going". It's too bad the Nation doesn't take care of it's people, but then it's also sad the dine' don't take care of themselves.
man i dont know whats worse being thrown out of the truck in the first place or dragging yourself along a road only to be passed and honked at....what the phuck is wrong with people? as you sow so shall you reap.....
You'd think they would have at least called the cops to say there's some guy in the middle of the desert dragging himself aroud.
I wonder if the police would go there. When I lived near a reservation, we were told that the local police didn't have the right to come to your aid. We were told to have AAA and to use reservation roads (despite it being a major one) will some caution.
I dont know if you have ever lived near or close to a reservation, but stopping to help people is not a good idea.
there something that doesn't make sense.... This man is a paraplegic, the picture above the story shows he has both arms, and in the story he says the stranger pulled him by his feet, yet he lost both legs in n accident. Weird
Mary, the writer states he lost the USE of both of his legs, not that he lost both legs. Also, note early on in the article that his injuries included the "shredding" of the skin on his left leg.
Mary, he didn't lose both his legs in the the accident rather he lost the use of both legs in an accident. In other words, he still has both legs but he lost the ability to move his legs.
And paraplegic means he can't use his legs. The term doesn't include arms. Someone who can't use their arms or legs is quadriplegic.
And we wonder about reading comprehension.. READ the article.
And soldiers spend all year in the desert stop the complaining and get a car surely you can afford one if your inviting strangers into your home for steaks and drinks. No remorse for dumbies
Nope....I call b*llsh!t. There is something fishy here, I betcha dollars to donuts it wasn't "strangers" that dropped him in the desert. And anyway, how does a paraplegic hitch-hike? If he's holding out his thumb, he's only got 1 hand to move his wheelchair along, he'd just go in circles.
I'm not buying his story...too many things don't add up.
It all makes sense to me. Couple picks up a paraplegic hitchhiker. He invites them for dinner. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Out in the desert one good turn deserves another. He didn't share because you can't buy alcohol in the Navajo Nation. He would have had to make a trip to Farmington or Gallup and been stuck hitch-hiking both ways. The couple that tossed him out is in for some bad fortune down the road.
Why woul he take a bottle of alcohol with hm for a ride in the desert? And drink in fornt of these people who had supposedly shared a mutually beneficial day with him thus far, with no intentions of sharing with them?
Yes, it's an odd story.
Normal behavior for that area. Want to go back in time? Go there.
Now days its normal behavior for any area.
I don't really find too much "wrong" with the story. Things are different on the Rez.
I see a new Pop Culture cliche' in the works: "Drunker than 10 Paraplegic Stranded Indians," hahahahaha
Yea! I'm a double amputee,But something ain't right with UNhappy Gilmore!
BS. Wants to write a book or have his own reality series.
-America
I guess the moral of this story is not to go on rides in the vast desert with unknown people, and especially don't take them to the house. It is good that he survived this ordeal.