Missing man found alive after 3 days in the open

Associated Press - November 19, 2009 12:14 AM ET

BLAIRSTOWN, Iowa (AP) - Benton County Sheriff Randy Forsyth says a missing Blairstown man who was found unconscious along the railroad tracks may have grabbed a ride on a freight train and been injured jumping off.

Authorities say an aunt found 22-year-old John Skalsky near the tracks about noon Wednesday. He was unresponsive, but had a pulse.

Police say Skalsky was last seen Saturday evening, when he told family members he was going to walk to a party in Norway - about 8 miles from Blairstown.

Authorities say Skalsky apparently lay in the open for more than three days, with temperatures in the 30s and 40s and light rain..

Skalsky was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City with multiple injuries. His condition was not available Wednesday night.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/