French Cyclist Survives Three Days in Ravine, Sustained by Red Wine

A 77-year-old cyclist in France survived for three days after falling 130 feet into a ravine, sustained by bottles of red wine he was carrying home from the supermarket.

The incident occurred on a remote road in the Cevennes region near Saint-Julien-des-Points yesterday. The cyclist missed a bend while riding his bike, sending him down a rocky slope and into the ravine. Despite repeated attempts to call for help, he went unheard for nearly three days. Rescuers credit the wine with helping him survive the cold and lack of food.

“He is really tough,” said rescue doctor Laurent Savath. “He fell into a stream several times trying to scramble back up, so was at risk of hypothermia.” Savath described the man’s survival as “a miracle… given the cold and the rain, with almost nothing to eat or drink” other than the wine. The cyclist was ultimately airlifted to a hospital with minor injuries and mild hypothermia, according to reports.

This remarkable story echoes a similar incident in Australia in 2023, where a woman survived five days in bushland on lollipops and wine. Such cases highlight the unexpected ways individuals can endure extreme conditions. Hypothermia is a serious medical condition, and survival often depends on finding or creating a source of warmth.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the fall and have praised the quick response of the roadworkers who ultimately heard the cyclist’s cries for help.