A man survived four car crashes in less than an hour after making his way to a doctor's appointment as ice and snow caused havoc on Southern Californian roads.
James Halsey, 32, from Big Bear, shared his harrowing experience as the hazardous conditions caused by a massive winter storm continue to devastate the West Coast.
He was involved in four accidents in less than an hour along Highway 18 near Holcomb Valley Road.
Mr Halsey's ordeal began as he was on his way to a doctor's appointment, and decided that he needed to turn back and head home due to the harsh weather when his vehicle began to slide.
In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with a car coming from the opposite direction, he swerved and damaged his front tire.
"I noticed a car coming from the opposite direction so instead of going head on to the car, I slid and I messed up front tire," he told ABC 7.
As he waited for a tow truck to arrive, another car collided with his vehicle from behind, causing him to be thrown into the air and land under the car.
"I kind of flew up in the air at some point, landed under the car ... I just got back up instantly and my hands were sliced up pretty bad," he said.
The driver of the vehicle that hit him attempted to help him by wrapping his hand with a shirt, but before the paramedics arrived, another car struck him, pinning him between two vehicles.
"He was trying to wrap my hand up in a shirt," said Halsey. "Before the paramedics got there, another vehicle ran and hit and pinned me up ... I was pinned between two cars."
Paramedics arrived shortly after and were in the process of transporting Mr Halsey to the hospital when yet another car collided with the ambulance. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Finally, the man arrived at the hospital, was provided medical attention and was released a couple of hours later.
"I was okay, I didn't feel a thing or nothing," he said.
Mr Halsey expressed gratitude to God for protecting him throughout the entire ordeal, as he was able to leave the hospital after only two hours of observation, without any serious injuries.
"I really honestly ... God protected me through that because even the hospital was amazed at how I was still alive after all that," he said. "I really believe I'm highly blessed and favoured by God. I mean, I really believe he protected me."
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incidents.
