Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD

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Courtesy: Palatka Fire Department and Putnam County Sheriff's Office

PALATKA, Fla. - A missing Florida man has been found alive after deputies say he got stuck in mud for several days.

What we know:

Andrew Giddens, 36, of Jacksonville, was reported missing earlier this month after friends and family didn’t hear from him.

Courtesy: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Earlier this week, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office located Giddens vehicle on the side of the road outside Vulcan Sand Plant near Paran Church Road and SR 100 in Melrose.  

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In 2023, a deputy with PCSO said he had encountered Giddens trespassing on Vulcan Materials Company property at a different site and recognized the vehicle and the name on the registration.

That deputy said he contacted Vulcan and asked them to search the property to see if anything was disturbed.

According to PCSO, Vulcan employees were looking for Giddens on the expansive property and, after two days, he was located in shoulder-deep mud close to a borrow pit.

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Deputies said Giddens spoke to the employee who was unable to reach him due to the unstable nature of the ground surrounding Giddens.

Courtesy: Palatka Fire Department

Dig deeper:

First responders said Giddens had been stuck in the mud for several days without food or water as freezing temperatures began to set in.

Giddens, according to investigators, was virtually camouflaged in the pit because he had sunk below the grass level.

First responders initially said they tried to drag Giddens out of the mud with ropes  and ended up bringing in ladders and other supplies to dig him out.

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They added that responders had to work slowly due to the instability of the ground.

Courtesy: Palatka Fire Department

Ladders, backboards and pallets had to be put on the ground to create a safe workspace for the crews.

Crews from the Palatka Fire Department, Putnam County Fire Rescue, and the Melrose Fire Department spent two to three hours working to rescue Giddens.

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After he was freed, he was flown by air ambulance to a trauma center in critical condition.

According to PCSO, no charges are being considered currently due to Giddens’ mental health.

What we don't know:

It is unclear why Giddens entered the sand plant or how he became stuck in the mud.

What they're saying:

In a post on social media, the Palatka Fire Department wrote, "This rescue shows the power of mutual aid, training, and dedication. We are grateful for the bravery and professionalism of everyone involved."