Ryan McConnaughe, 23 years old, was riding his mountain bike on a path in San Diego when he fell and became paralyzed below the neck.
McConaughey, unable to access his phone, used the voice feature on his Apple Watch to request assistance.
Prior to the arrival of rescue personnel, McConaughey left a voicemail for his girlfriend that went viral on TikTok.
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After a mountain biking accident left him crippled, a California man claims his Apple Watch saved his life.
“This timepiece saved my life. Without a question. Nobody could have possibly located me. I never imagined I would use my Apple Watch to make a life-saving phone call “Ryan McConnaughe, 23 years old, stated to ABC San Diego.
According to a local news source, McConnaughey was 40 minutes into his ride in San Diego County on April 21 when he lost control and crashed headfirst into the ground, leaving him paralyzed.
“I was instantaneously unable to move anything below my neck,” McConnaughey told People. And I was alone, literally in the middle of nowhere, so even if I screamed, nobody would hear me.
According to ABC San Diego, McConnaughey knew he needed quick assistance but could not use his phone because it was in his backpack.
“I was certain that I required medical assistance as soon as possible. My brain went into a sort of survival mode “McConnaughey stated to the media source.
McConnaughey used his Apple Watch in an instant to contact Peter, the only person who knew his whereabouts and who had been biking with him earlier in the day.
After locating McConnaughey, Peter and his companion dialed 911 for emergency assistance.
Prior to the arrival of emergency personnel, McConaughey left a voicemail for his girlfriend Lauren that went viral on TikTok.
“Lauren I am very sorry, honey “McConaughey said in his voicemail message. “I fell while mountain biking and am now paralyzed from the neck down… I’m phoning you through my Apple Watch as I am unable to move.”
“I am very sorry, sweetie. I really adore you more than anything else “McConaughey mentioned in his voicemail.
According to ABC San Diego, McConnaughey was spotted and transported to a hospital where he underwent multiple life-saving surgery to fix his shattered vertebrae and relieve pressure on his spine.
According to the publication, in the following months, McConnaughey underwent physical therapy in a Colorado facility with Lauren and his family by his side.
As of Sunday, Lauren’s fundraiser for McConnaughey’s recovery has raised more than $40,000 so far.
McConnaughey told People that many of these contributions came from individuals he had never met. “I’ve never seen this side of people before, so it’s great to receive encouragement from strangers.”