A photographer who left his accounting career to see the world is now fighting for his life after plunging 200 feet from a cliff in Portugal.
Kyle Quin Schrock, 36, of San Diego, California, was hiking on Madeira on October 11 when, according to his family, the path gave way without warning and sent him tumbling toward the ground.
“I thought it was my death,” the well-known photographer said in an Instagram video recorded from his hospital bed. Cuts were visible across his face, while a breathing apparatus rested around his neck.
Schrock said his fall was stopped by a small patch of vegetation. “Eventually, I got caught on a piece of grass, like a little bush,” he explained. “It didn’t feel strong enough to hold me, so I was very surprised.”
Suspended above the drop, Schrock said he suddenly heard a voice. Looking up, he saw someone in a helicopter telling him they had spotted him and that rescuers were on their way.
“That was the best news I could ever get,” Schrock said, pausing briefly to replace his oxygen mask.
The shaken adventurer later told his 1.3 million Instagram followers that the ordeal had felt “really precarious.” Rescue crews eventually reached him and transported him to a nearby hospital.
“Life has stayed so still since I got here,” he said in the video, shared last week. “I feel like I’ve been in a weird daze, really struggling to maintain any normalcy.”
Schrock said he was in severe pain and had suffered fractures to his back, ribs and sternum, grunting as he described his injuries.
Kyle Quin Schrock, 36, from San Diego, California, is fighting for his life after plunging 200 feet from a cliff while hiking in Portugal.
Schrock left his accounting job to travel the world and document it through photography. Source: Kyle Quin Schrock / Facebook
Despite the extent of his injuries, Schrock used the update to reassure followers that he was alive. He also thanked the friends who called for an emergency airlift, saying they had done “an awesome job.”
He ended the short message by promising that he would eventually “get back out there and enjoy life again.”
“But for now, I’ll be here,” he said.
Alongside the video, the photographer wrote: “Hope you don’t mind an intermission from the beauty, but I’ve experienced Earth’s Fury over the past few days.”
An online fundraiser has been launched to help support Schrock, who organizers said has “traversed the world 10x over.”
“He has a long road to recovery with travel assistance, rehabilitation and further medical needs in the USA,” his sister-in-law, Tara Schrock, said. “He will also not be able to work for months.”
It remains unclear whether Schrock has health insurance. By Sunday evening, however, well-wishers had contributed nearly $12,900 toward his treatment and recovery.
Schrock previously told the Daily Mail that he abandoned his career as an accountant to explore and photograph the world. Source: GoFundMe
His sister-in-law said he will need additional care after returning to the United States. Source: GoFundMe
The devastating fall comes years after Schrock first decided to give up his life as an accountant to go explore the world.
He had originally planned to go on a short road trip to satisfy his traveling urges but loved the lifestyle so much that he never returned as his photography attracted numerous brand partners.
‘I was an accountant who spent my days dreaming of adventure,’ Schrock previously told the Daily Mail.
‘Eventually, all the daydreaming convinced me that if I never got out and traveled I would regret it.’
‘I initially planned a six-month road trip to get the travel bug out of me, but it turns out that was just the beginning.’
‘Through photography and social media, I was able to gain a following and eventually attract some brands who wanted to work with me.’
In his video message, Schrock vowed to ‘get back out there and enjoy life again.’ Source: Kyle Quin Schrock / Facebook
Schrock’s extensive photos of his global travels (like the one pictured) have amassed 1.3 million followers on Instagram. Source: GoFundMe
Schrock’s formative years helped bring forth his passion for the outdoors and adventure – leading him to take the road trip that would change his life.
‘I grew up in a city in Southern California and spent most of my days surfing and skating,’ he said.
‘I then moved to Hawaii to attend college and it was here that I really fell in love with hiking and camping in nature.’
Schrock encouraged anyone who wants to try the traveling lifestyle to do so as it has allowed him to capture some amazing moments.
‘I’d definitely recommend this lifestyle to anyone and to any budding photographers I’d encourage them to strive to capture different angles and get a unique style,’ he said.
‘Be consistent and most importantly make as many like-minded friends as possible.’