A Mishawaka man was flown from a single-vehicle accident after two fishermen found him trapped in his vehicle six days after the accident occurred. Photos provided by the Indiana State Police

Press Release

PORTAGE — A Mishawaka man was flown from a single-vehicle accident after two fishermen found him trapped in his vehicle six days after the accident occurred.

At 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, the Porter County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a crash on I-94 at the Salt Creek overpass. This is one mile east of the Portage exit.

Two local fishermen were walking Salt Creek, scouting for fishing holes when they spotted what appeared to be a crashed vehicle. Out of curiosity, they made their way to the vehicle and saw what they thought was a lifeless man. However, when one of the fisherman touched the occupant, he turned his head and began to speak to them. The Good Samaritans immediately called 911 and requested help.

The Portage and Burns Harbor Fire Departments both responded and, after a lengthy extrication process, were able to remove the driver from the vehicle. During their extrication efforts, it was determined the crash had more than likely occurred sometime around Dec. 20. The driver was then flown by Lutheran Air to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for treatment of severe, life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation shows the driver was operating a 2016 Dodge Ram truck, and he had been traveling west on I-94 when it left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle drove into the north ditch, missing a protective guardrail. The truck then overturned into the creek, coming to a rest under the I-94 bridge. The driver was pinned inside the vehicle and unable to call for help. Had it not been for the two fishermen, this incident more than likely would have had a different outcome. There had not been any prior reports of a crash in the area prior to the fishermen finding the vehicle.

The vehicle’s driver has been identified as Matthew R. Reum, 27, who currently resides in Mishawaka. A family member of Reum’s has been notified.

This crash is a reminder of the importance of always letting someone know if you are traveling, the route you are taking, and the need to always have emergency items in your vehicle. The will to survive this crash was nothing short of extraordinary as it was also determined Reum was able to drink rainwater for hydration in order to survive for such a long period of time while being exposed to the elements.