What started off as an impromptu exploration of rural Alaskan roads quickly turned into a battle for survival when a 52-year-old lost control of his pickup truck and it plunged into a snowbank. For more than three days Clifton Vial survived with blankets and an unlikely source of (minimal) nourishment: a couple of frozen cans of Coors Light.
One day last week, Vial decided to see how far a winding road out of Nome went. He set out in the sub zero weather in sneakers and a $30 jacket. Though he normally carries extensive survival supplies in his truck, he did not have them on this day. His family and his dogs were out of town. He had no reception for his cell phone.
So, he waited. And waited until his co-workers realized he didn't show up to work three days later. They mounted a massive search effort and finally located Vial.
During his ordeal, Vial ate the cans of beer like beans. "I cut the lids off and dug it out with a knife," he said. After a quick checkup with the doctor, Vial plans to get right back to work.
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