A man in Florida, who had been missing for ten days, was miraculously found and rescued after he became stuck in mud up to his shoulders. 

Andrew Giddens, 36, was discovered by the Palatka Fire Department after he was last heard from on Valentine’s Day.  

Giddens was rescued on February 23 at the Vulcan Materials Company, a sand plant east of Melrose, but was found in mud up to his shoulders near a borrow pit.

‘He had been stuck in mud for several days without food or water, while the area faced freezing temperatures,’ the fire department said in a post on Facebook. 

His abandoned car was spotted near where he was eventually found by Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Derrick Holmes, who requested a welfare check on Giddens. 

That was when his friends told Holmes that Giddens had been ‘depressed due to a recent break-up,’ according to the sheriff’s office. 

Giddens was able to verbally communicate and flag down the rescue team. 

It took emergency responders nearly three hours to free Giddens from the mud before he was rushed to hospital. 

Andrew Giddens, 36, was discovered by the Palatka Fire Department after he was last heard from on Valentine’s Day earlier this month

Giddens was rescued on Monday at the Vulcan Materials Company, a sand plant east of Melrose, but was found in mud up to his shoulders near a borrow pit

 It took emergency responders nearly three hours to free Giddens from the mud before he was rushed to hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery

‘The rescue took about two to three hours, with specialized crews working carefully to bring him to safety,’ the fire department said. 

‘Thanks to the skill and teamwork of these first responders, Andrew is expected to recover.’

‘This rescue shows the power of mutual aid, training, and dedication. We are grateful for the bravery and professionalism of everyone involved,’ the department’s post concluded. 

The PFD was also aided in the rescue by Clay County Fire Rescue’s Technical Rescue Teams, Putnam County Fire Rescue and Melrose Fire Department-Florida.

The PCSO said: ‘Due to his mental health, no charges are being considered at this time. We hope that he is able to recover from his ordeal both physically and mentally.’

Vulcan Sand Plant officials told WCJB: ‘Our Vulcan team at the Grandin Sand Plant handled a trespassing situation with care and compassion shepherding first responders to a man who was in distress.’

‘We are grateful for his safe rescue and thankful for the first responders who aided him.’ 

Giddens aunt, Jeannie Smith Carson, wrote on Facebook: ‘Andrew was found alive. All we know is that he was stuck somewhere since Saturday. He is in bad shape’

Giddens friends told Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Derrick Holmes that Giddens had been ‘depressed due to a recent break-up’

Giddens aunt, Jeannie Smith Carson, wrote on Facebook: ‘Andrew was found alive. All we know is that he was stuck somewhere since Saturday. He is in bad shape.’

‘The EMS is on their way. But he is alive.’

After her nephew was rescued she said in a separate post: ‘Thank you all for your prayers. Here is an update. Thank God he was found when he was. One more day and we would not have been as fortunate.’

‘This world is crazy. I am blessed to have my people who have shared and reshared this and have prayed. I can’t thank all of you enough. God is good.’