A 14-year-old California boy remains in a medically induced coma after falling 120 feet off a slope on Mount Whitney while experiencing hallucinations from altitude sickness, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident occurred June 10 during a hike with his father, Ryan Wach, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

According to SFGate, the teenager, Zane Wach, suffered a severe head injury in the fall and also sustained a broken ankle, finger, and a fractured pelvis. The two had been descending the mountain when Zane’s condition rapidly deteriorated.

Wach said he had no initial concerns about the hike, describing his son as being “in better shape than I am.” Zane, a competitive runner, swimmer, and triathlete, was familiar with outdoor activities and had prior hiking experience.

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

MORE NEWS: Florida Mom’s Close Call Caught on Video as Lightning Hits Right Behind Her [WATCH]

As they neared the summit, Zane began to show signs of altitude sickness. To ensure a safer return, Wach took a gentler, seven-mile descent route. During the descent, Zane began to hallucinate, telling his father he was seeing “snowmen and Kermit the Frog.”

Wach said Zane was aware he was hallucinating, but his condition briefly improved. “He looked considerably better,” Wach recalled. However, the teen soon began doubting what was real.

“He told me he couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or not,” Wach said.

“It was like he was in the movie Inception.”

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Following recent reports that Congress is considering a nationwide voter ID requirement for federal elections, do you support requiring voters to show identification before casting a ballot?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from RVM News, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

At one point, Zane insisted they had already completed the hike “multiple times.” Nearby hikers, noticing the boy’s confused state, called for a search and rescue team. Wach tried to manage his son’s behavior while descending.

“He started dragging his feet, stopped in his tracks,” Wach told the Independent.

“He didn’t want to go on.”

Zane then made his way toward a ledge, prompting his father to physically stop him. The teen insisted he was going to the car and later said he was trying to get “dinner,” despite being thousands of feet from their destination.

Close

MORE NEWS: Teen Girls Fight Back and Thrash Knife-Armed Pervert After Attempted Rape in Woods [WATCH]

As Wach became emotionally overwhelmed and briefly took his hands off Zane, the teen walked toward the edge and fell. “I didn’t hear it until he was about at the edge… I couldn’t get him, and he walked off,” Wach said.

Zane was found approximately 120 feet below. A nearby EMT assisted Wach until the Inyo County Search and Rescue team arrived. Zane remained on the mountain slope for nearly six hours before being airlifted to Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine.

He was later transferred to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas.

Doctors said it was “fairly miraculous” that Zane’s injuries weren’t worse. As of the latest update, Zane had briefly opened his eyes and is showing signs of improvement, though his recovery remains uncertain.

His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Zane’s symptoms are consistent with high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), a rare but serious condition in which the brain swells due to oxygen deprivation.

HACE occurs in less than 1% of people who ascend to altitudes between 13,000 and 18,000 feet.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.