Vultures Help Calif. Father Rescue Son

(CBS)  Are vultures man's best friend?

Not usually, but that was the case for Mitch Davis, a 19-year-old whose truck crashed down an embankment into a rocky canyon early Sunday in Bakersfield, Calif.

Davis broke an arm and was dehydrated, stuck at the bottom of a ravine in his wrecked vehicle. His father started searching, and was finally able to find him Monday -- thanks to help from vultures.

Davis' father told reporters, "Went up there where those vultures flew out of a tree and looked over the edge and there was my son's truck. (I thought) 'Why are condors, scavenger birds, what are they doing around?' And they're the ones that told me -- wings from above - they're the ones that told me where my son was."

Davis is being treated for his injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

For more on Davis' rescue, click on the video below.


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[notimeforfear]

so to the inconciderate person up there they arent reporting the full story. Mitch did not just break his arm. he broke his arm, clavicle, jaw, and NECK. THAT is why he could not move he tried to crawl back up the canyon but only made it out of his truck where he layed there immobile for 36 hours. get the story straight. and for the rest of you thanks. keep him in your prayers please

[porcine_aviator]

Vultures are the most under-rated of birds.

They are very intelligent, very discreet, and they are arguably the most graceful fliers. I have seen a vulture ride a thermal for half an hour with less movement and effort than you or I would make in sitting in a chair.

So who cares if vultures eat carrion...so do dogs and cats!

[ianlou]

This is news?
John Wayne used vultures to find his wounded cowboy buddies
in most of his movies.

[dontyougetit]

Just because he didn't break a leg, doesn't mean that he wasn't pinned in the truck.
Good ending!

[vharmon]

He broke his arm, and he couldn't walk? I broke my arm downtown Germany on bump cars at a street carnival and me and my friends walked into every store until we found someone who spoke english to contact my parents. I dunno...why he didn't walk, he didn't break his leg

[DSW358]

Yep, its definitely pays to observe nature, not the first time it has paid off. So glad for this Dad and his son, so glad. A great article. (Thank you Vultures, you get a bad rap sometimes, but in this case, as the Dad pointed out, angels on the wing.)