• Elderly French cyclist miraculously survives three days trapped in a steep ravine
• Rescue teams find him on the banks of the Gardon River and airlift him after minor injuries

A 77-year-old French cyclist miraculously survives after falling 40 meters into a steep ravine in the Cévennes region, spending three days stranded and in pain while awaiting help

The incident occurred as the man was cycling home through a mountainous area near Saint-Julien-des-Points, roughly 80 kilometers from Montpellier, after losing control of his bike on a sharp bend and sliding down a rocky slope

He came to rest on the banks of the Gardon River and called for help whenever he heard passing vehicles, but received no response for several days

On Tuesday, a team of technicians from the Interdepartmental Roads Directorate, working on road maintenance, heard his cries

They located his twisted and broken bicycle at the bottom of the ravine and rushed to assist him

Fire services were contacted, but ultimately a helicopter was dispatched to airlift the cyclist from the opposite riverbank

The elderly man told rescuers that he was unable to climb the steep terrain back to the road on his own

Chief medical officer Laurent Savath said the cyclist was in remarkably good condition given the harsh mountainous environment and adverse weather

“He is safe and in good health. Nevertheless, after this incident, he was transported to Alès Hospital Centre for medical evaluation,” Savath added

He described the cyclist’s survival as a miracle, especially considering the cold, rain, and lack of food and water

The man sustained minor injuries and mild hypothermia, but is expected to make a full recovery, according to French news sources