The Unbelievable True Story: 5 Years Later, The Man Cut In Half By A Forklift Defies All Odds

The story of Loren Schauers is one of the most harrowing and inspiring tales of survival in modern medical history. As of late 2025, it has been over six years since the devastating workplace accident that changed his life forever, an event so severe it required a rare and radical surgery—a hemicorporectomy—that left him with no lower body.

This article provides the most current, up-to-date information on Loren’s life, his ongoing medical challenges, the details of the 2019 forklift incident in Montana, and the incredible strength of his marriage to his wife, Sabia Reiche, who has become his primary caregiver and partner in documenting his remarkable journey.

Biography and The Catastrophic 2019 Forklift Accident

Loren Schauers was an 18-year-old construction worker from Great Falls, Montana, when his life was catastrophically altered. His biography is now inextricably linked to the September 2019 incident, which is frequently cited in discussions about massive trauma survival and workplace safety.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Loren Schauers
• Date of Birth: Information not publicly detailed, but was 18 at the time of the accident in 2019.
• Current Age: Approximately 24 (as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Great Falls, Montana, USA
• Spouse: Sabia Reiche (married February 2021)
• Occupation at Time of Accident: Construction Worker / Laborer
• Medical Procedure: Hemicorporectomy (amputation from the waist down)
• The Accident: In September 2019, while driving a forklift across a bridge or embankment, the machine veered or toppled over. Loren attempted to jump clear but was tragically pinned and crushed underneath the four-ton lifting machine as it rolled down the slope.
• Immediate Injuries: His body was severely crushed and severed below the waist, leading to the loss of his right arm, multiple internal organ injuries, and a devastating injury to his lower body.

In the immediate aftermath, Loren was conscious and, facing doctors, made the desperate plea: "I love you, Sabia. Tell my family I love them." He then instructed the medical team to save him, even if it meant being "cut in half," a decision that ultimately led to the life-saving, though radical, hemicorporectomy procedure.

The Medical Reality of Hemicorporectomy Survival

The surgery Loren underwent, a hemicorporectomy, is one of the rarest and most drastic surgical interventions in existence. It involves the complete amputation of the lower half of the body, including the legs, pelvis, and external genitalia, typically performed to treat terminal pelvic cancers or, as in Loren’s case, massive trauma.

Defying the Odds: A Life-Saving Procedure

The procedure is associated with high mortality rates, but Loren's survival is a testament to his resilience and the skill of the surgical team. Historically, the average survival rate for hemicorporectomy patients is around 11.0 years, with some documented cases surviving over 20 years. Loren's ability to survive the initial trauma and the subsequent surgery places him among a very small group of long-term survivors globally.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The surgery required the permanent rerouting of the urinary and digestive systems. Loren now manages his daily life with a colostomy bag and a urostomy bag. This adaptation to his new normal is a continuous, challenging process that he and Sabia document to raise awareness and inspire others.

Despite the successful surgery, the journey is far from over. Loren has faced recurrent hospitalizations for serious infections, a common challenge for hemicorporectomy survivors due to the complexity of the wound site and internal systems. In recent years, he has been rushed to the hospital multiple times, highlighting the continuous, life-threatening risks he manages daily.

Life After Amputation: Marriage, Advocacy, and Daily Challenges

The most compelling and current aspect of Loren’s story is his life with his wife, Sabia Reiche. Sabia was his girlfriend at the time of the accident and chose to stay with him, marrying him in February 2021. Their relationship has become a beacon of devotion and a major source of support for Loren.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The Role of Sabia Reiche

Sabia is Loren’s primary caregiver, performing what he calls "superhuman" acts of caregiving. Her duties include assisting with his mobility, helping with the management of his ostomy bags, and providing emotional support through his numerous medical setbacks. Their shared journey is documented on their popular YouTube channel, "Sabia and Loren," which has amassed a large following interested in their unique perspective on life, love, and disability.

They use their platform to answer the difficult and often intrusive questions people have about his condition and their relationship. They have openly discussed everything from the logistics of his daily routine to how they maintain intimacy, pushing back against the societal discomfort surrounding disability and sexuality.

Mobility and Adaptation

Loren's mobility is a continuous challenge. He primarily uses a custom-fitted wheelchair and relies on his upper body strength. The process of adapting to life without a lower body—including learning to sit, balance, and transfer himself—was a grueling rehabilitation process that began almost immediately after his surgery. The couple’s vlogs often show the practical, everyday adjustments they have made to their home and vehicle to accommodate his needs.

Workplace Safety and Prevention

The tragedy of Loren's accident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of workplace safety, especially involving heavy machinery like forklifts. Forklift accidents remain a significant cause of workplace fatalities and severe injuries globally. The incident underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols, mandatory training, and strict adherence to operating procedures to prevent similar catastrophic events. The long-term physical, emotional, and financial toll of such an accident is immense, making prevention the only acceptable outcome.

Loren Schauers’s story is not just about a horrific accident; it is about the indomitable human spirit. His journey—from a near-fatal crushing injury to becoming a long-term survivor of hemicorporectomy—is a powerful narrative of medical triumph, marital devotion, and the daily, quiet heroism required to redefine a life after unimaginable trauma.