Californian Photographer Survives 200-Foot Fall in Portugal

Kyle Quin Schrock, a 36-year-old photographer from San Diego, California, is recovering after a fall of approximately 200 feet down a cliff in Madeira, Portugal. The incident occurred on October 11 when the trail he was hiking on reportedly crumbled beneath him.

Schrock, who left a career as an accountant to travel and document the world, described the fall in a video posted from his hospital bed. "I thought it was my death," he stated, expressing surprise at being caught by a patch of grass and a small bush.

While suspended precariously, Schrock reported seeing a helicopter, and its occupants informed him that help was on the way. Rescuers subsequently arrived and transported him to a local hospital. He sustained multiple fractures, including a broken back, ribs, and sternum.

An online fundraiser has been established to support Schrock's recovery, noting that he will require assistance with travel, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical needs in the United States and will be unable to work for several months. As of Sunday evening, the fundraiser had garnered nearly $12,900.

Schrock had previously shared his decision to abandon his accounting profession for a life of travel, initially planning a six-month road trip. This journey evolved into a full-time pursuit as his photography gained a following and attracted brand partnerships, amassing 1.3 million followers on Instagram.

He attributed his passion for adventure to his upbringing in Southern California, where he engaged in surfing and skating, and later to his college years in Hawaii, where he developed a love for hiking and camping.