Climber Stuck by ‘Microwave-Sized’ Rock Says Helmet Saved His Life

An experienced rock climber is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a large rock before he even started ascending.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, Cody Boehm was talking with friends at Confluence Crag in Montana when he was hit by a rock from 50 feet above, according to local news outlets KTVQ and NBC Montana.

The “microwave-sized” boulder had been dislodged when one of his friends stepped on a ledge, the outlets reported.

The impact broke Boehm’s collarbone and seven of his ribs and collapsed his right lung, according to the outlets. He was also left with multiple fractures and a large back laceration.

“I definitely knew my right side was broke,” Boehm told KTVQ. “I was feeling like I wasn’t going to make it. There was a point there where I was like, this is bad.”

Boehm was kept awake by a friend who applied pressure to his wounds, while another called for help. Due to the challenging terrain, the Red Lodge Fire Rescue, search and rescue teams, and the Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth Ranger District were all needed to safely extract Boehm from the scene of the accident.

“He was significantly injured,” Dr. Gordon Riha recalled of Boehm’s arrival at Billings Clinic, per KTVQ. “Personnel who were involved in Cody’s care deserve significant praise and a lot of kudos. 

“They went above and beyond with their extraction from a very difficult location, and then they provided lifesaving care on the way to the hospital,” he added.

Dr. Riha told KTVQ that Boehm would’ve likely sustained “life-threatening” injuries if he weren’t wearing a helmet at the time the boulder struck him.

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Now that he’s recovering in the hospital, Boehm is already looking forward to returning to rock climbing.

“Your helmet will save your life no matter what,” Boehm said, per KTVQ. “That’s what saved my life. It hit me in the head. If I didn’t have my helmet on, I wouldn’t be here today.”

In a Facebook post about the accident, Boehm’s friend TaylorRae Seal wrote, “Thank you, Lord. Love you brother!”

“Omg!! I’m so glad you are ok!” added Jamie Rosin, to which Boehm replied: “Thank you, I’m doing good.”

Red Lodge Fire Rescue and the Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth Ranger District did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Monday, Sept. 29.