The near death experience of Bruce Van Natta
What Researchers Found
The Story
Bruce Vanetta was a mechanic who experienced a near-death experience (NDE) after a logging truck fell on him in 2006. He was working under the truck when it slipped off the jack, crushing his body. In the moments after the accident, he called out for help and then saw his own body from above. He felt a sense of perfect peace and watched as first responders arrived. He experienced being pulled back into his body multiple times, each time feeling intense pain. He was reminded of his family and chose to fight for his life. After extensive surgeries, he survived despite severe injuries. After the NDE, he felt a strong sense of purpose and began sharing his story to help others understand life and death.
“And I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew heaven was on the end of that”
The account contains several veridical perception claims, particularly regarding the details of the accident scene and the actions of the emergency responders. The experiencer accurately identified the entrance used by two responders, which was not known to him prior to his NDE, and he provided specific details about the scene that were later verified.
Score reflects verifiable perceptions reported. A low score indicates the experience was primarily spiritual or subjective, not that it didn't occur.
Score reflects transformation as described. Domains scored 0 indicate the topic was not discussed, not that no change occurred.
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These accounts were gathered because death may not be the end. Thousands of people have experienced something beyond — and come back to tell us about it.
What Researchers Found
The account contains several veridical perception claims, particularly regarding the details of the accident scene and the actions of the emergency responders. The experiencer accurately identified the entrance used by two responders, which was not known to him prior to his NDE, and he provided specific details about the scene that were later verified.
Score reflects verifiable perceptions reported. A low score indicates the experience was primarily spiritual or subjective, not that it didn't occur.
Score reflects transformation as described. Domains scored 0 indicate the topic was not discussed, not that no change occurred.