A young man who was cut in half by a forklift has shared a harrowing photo of the accident that nearly killed him.
Back in September 2019, Loren Schauers was just 18 when his job as a construction labourer took a devastating turn.
He was driving a forklift along a Montana bridge when the vehicle suddenly lost control. The four-ton truck skidded off the edge, plunging 50 feet before slamming down the hillside.
It landed directly on top of him.
The impact crushed Loren’s pelvis and trapped him beneath the wreck. Against every medical prediction, he stayed alive.
Even more terrifying, he remained conscious throughout.
“I watched it all happen,” he later explained. “I saw the forklift fall on me, I felt my body being crushed, I knew instantly how bad it was.”
Paramedics rushed him to hospital. Doctors quickly told his family there was only one chance to keep him alive. Loren would need a hemicorporectomy — a drastic surgery that meant amputating his body from the waist down.
For most people, the decision would have been unbearable. But Loren said the choice was clear.
“It was simple. Either die that day or go through with the surgery. Sabia promised to stay by my side, my family were there. It wasn’t hard for me to choose life.”
Photos later shared by Loren on Instagram show the scene of the crash. One image captures the forklift toppled sideways on the steep slope. He explained: “If you look closely, you can actually see me pinned underneath it.”
The sight is enough to make even experienced doctors shudder. Loren admits every medical professional who hears his story reacts with disbelief.
“They’re amazed I survived at all,” he said.
Love And Survival Against All Odds
At the time of the accident, doctors repeatedly told Sabia — then his girlfriend — to say her goodbyes. In fact, she had to do it six times. Each time, Loren pulled through.
Their bond only grew stronger. The pair later married, defying every expectation.
Today, Loren and Sabia share their lives online, documenting the reality of living after such a life-changing injury. Their YouTube vlogs attract hundreds of thousands of views, with fans praising their openness and humour.
In one video, Sabia can be seen carefully lifting Loren from their bed in the morning and carrying him into the living room. He then manoeuvres himself onto the sofa to start his day.
But the challenges haven’t stopped.
In recent years, Loren has battled kidney stones, recurring infections and a string of painful flare-ups. In March, the couple revealed he was waiting for yet another surgery.
April brought more complications. Loren developed a dangerous C. diff infection, delaying the operation. He was put on heavy antibiotics before finally getting the treatment in May.
Despite the constant setbacks, Loren remains positive.
His Instagram bio sums it up: “Hemicorpectomy, not by choice, but that’s okay. I’m happy to be alive.”
From Near-Death To Online Inspiration
The couple’s resilience has won them a loyal following. Supporters flood their posts with messages of admiration, calling them an “inspiration” and praising Sabia’s dedication.
Even when trolls appear, the pair handle criticism with the same blunt honesty that’s kept them going since the accident.
Away from social media, Loren and Sabia live a quieter life, focusing on daily routines and medical care. But they say sharing their journey has given them purpose — and allowed them to connect with people facing their own struggles.
From a teenager crushed under a four-ton forklift to a 23-year-old inspiring millions online, Loren Schauers has rewritten the meaning of survival.
And the chilling photo he shared from that day — showing the forklift lying wrecked with him pinned beneath — is proof of just how close he came to losing it all.
Featured image credit: loren.schauers/instagram
