Local

Man loses leg after trapped in wrecked truck for 17 hours

BOONE, N.C. — Joseph Woodring shared his survival story after he was trapped inside a truck for 17 hours after he crashed 60 feet down the side of a mountain in Boone.

Two weeks later, he is still in the hospital and surrounded by family.

"He's already up and going on his walker and we're expecting him to be home, hopefully, in a couple of weeks," his aunt Trish Miller said.

During the 17 hours he was inside, he tried to climb out of the truck but his legs were pinned by the dash and seat.

"He made himself a pillow out of grass and used a pocket knife to cut the seat and get the material out to use as a blanket to cover up with," Miller said.

Rescuers finally reached Woodring and after another hour, he was pulled him to safety.

Doctors had to amputate his leg but his family said his determination is remarkable.

"He knows that he's going to walk again and he's going to be fine. He hasn't said the first negative thing about any of it. He's just very positive," Miller said.

Troopers say Woodring fell asleep at the wheel.

The Highway Patrol charged Woodring with failure to maintain lane control and exceeding a safe speed.

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