What started as a peaceful hunting trip in Utah’s rugged Uinta Mountains quickly turned into a life-or-death survival story for Jacob Schmitt — and his dog, Buddy.
One moment they were out in nature like any other day, and the next, Jacob was fighting for his life with nothing but sheer willpower… and the loyalty of his best friend.
The Crash That Changed Everything
Jacob, 34, had been deer hunting on July 20 with Buddy, his six-year-old dog, when disaster struck.
He was driving a side-by-side utility vehicle through the mountainous terrain when it suddenly lost control and rolled off a cliff.
“Immediately I realized it was going over like a capsizing ship,” Jacob recalled in an interview with KSTU.
He believes the vehicle flipped 15 to 20 times, and he was thrown out early on — possibly during the second or third flip.
Injured and Alone… But Buddy Was Safe
Miraculously, Buddy had been secured in a kennel in the back of the utility vehicle and emerged from the wreck without a single scratch.
Jacob wasn’t so lucky. He suffered a broken leg, fractured ankles, broken ribs — and lost both his cell phone and radio in the crash.
“When I came to and started to do kind of damage control, Buddy was just there staring at me,” Jacob said, growing emotional. “It’s unreal.”
A Makeshift Splint and a Plan to Survive
With no way to call for help, Jacob did what any lifelong outdoorsman might attempt — he improvised.
Using a stick, a belt, and a small roll of duct tape, he created a rough splint for his injured leg.
Then, using the faint light from Buddy’s collar, he began crawling his way down the mountain.
The journey? Eleven grueling hours.
Buddy Became the Guiding Light
The bond between Jacob and Buddy only deepened during those difficult hours.
“I would catch up to him, nudge him with my face, and he’d get up and take another break,” Jacob shared.
At one point, he realized Buddy wasn’t just resting — he was waiting, leading, and silently encouraging him. “It wasn’t him falling asleep.
It was him giving me a place to go.”
From Mountain to Diner: A Desperate Plea for Help
After that epic crawl, Jacob somehow made it back to his car and managed to drive himself to the Oakley Diner.
There, he found a woman working outside and asked her for help.
“He was like, ‘Can you call 911, please?’ And my heart kind of dropped,” Yenni Saiz, the employee, told local news.
“He had scratches and was clearly in pain… but still the most respectful person I’ve ever met.”
Hospital Treatment and an Emotional Reunion
Jacob was rushed to Park City Hospital, and meanwhile, Buddy and his truck were taken care of by the Oakley Fire Station until Jacob’s family could be reached.
According to his GoFundMe page, his injuries included broken ribs, both ankles fractured, and a shattered tibia and fibula.
The silver lining? Buddy was brought to visit him at the hospital.
The reunion was every bit as emotional as you’d imagine.
“The thing that loves you unconditionally is just there.
He kept checking on me — it was like the biggest spirit jump,” Jacob said.
“I had my best friend to crawl out with me. It was unreal.”
Community Rallies Around Their Local Hero
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Jacob now lives in Utah.
Friends and family have launched a fundraiser to help cover his recovery expenses.
And while Jacob’s the type of person who’d never ask for help, his community knows he deserves it.
“Jake is the guy who’s always there when you need him,” the GoFundMe reads, “whether helping a fellow hunter, welding something for a neighbor, or lending a hand with zero hesitation.”
Buddy: More Than Just a Pet
This wasn’t just a rescue story — it was a story of deep loyalty, resilience, and the kind of friendship that can only exist between a man and his dog. Buddy didn’t just survive.
He guided. He waited. And he helped save his best friend’s life.