🚨 HE VANISHED ON VALENTINE’S DAY… AND SURVIVED THE UNTHINKABLE. 😱

Imagine disappearing after a brutal breakup, only to end up buried shoulder-deep in freezing, quicksand-like mud for DAYS — no food, no water, temps dropping to near-freezing… while everyone searched in vain.

This Florida man was found ALIVE, barely responsive, at a remote sand plant after nearly two weeks of hell. Rescue crews fought for hours to pull him out without getting trapped themselves.

What really happened in those dark, muddy depths? Was it an accident… or something more?

Click to read the full shocking story — you won’t believe how close he came to never being found. 👇

A 36-year-old Jacksonville man who vanished on Valentine’s Day was rescued alive Wednesday night after spending several days trapped in deep mud at a sand mining operation in Putnam County, authorities said.

Andrew Giddens was discovered shoulder-deep in thick, unstable mud resembling quicksand near a borrow pit at the Vulcan Materials Company sand plant east of Melrose, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and first responders involved in the operation.

The rescue came after a multi-day search that intensified when Giddens’ abandoned vehicle was located near the facility earlier in the week. Employees at the plant, who had been alerted to the missing person case, continued looking and eventually spotted the man partially submerged and camouflaged beneath grass level.

Giddens was reported missing by his father after last speaking with him on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. Family members told investigators he had been dealing with personal difficulties, including the aftermath of a difficult breakup, though officials have not confirmed any direct connection between his emotional state and how he ended up in the mud.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office described the discovery as a relief after what had become an extended search effort. Deputies and plant workers found Giddens responsive but in critical condition, having gone without food or water for an extended period while exposed to harsh weather.

Temperatures in the area dipped to freezing for several hours during the nights he was trapped, adding to the danger of hypothermia and dehydration. First responders from the Palatka Fire Department, Clay County Fire Rescue’s Technical Rescue Team, Putnam County Fire Rescue, and Melrose Fire Department were called in for what officials termed a “complex technical rescue.”

The operation lasted approximately two to three hours. Crews had to proceed with extreme caution due to the unstable nature of the mud, which posed a risk of sucking in rescuers as well. Specialized equipment and careful extraction techniques were used to free Giddens without further incident.

Once extracted, he was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. Authorities have not released detailed updates on his medical status as of Thursday, but initial reports indicate he was alert enough to communicate with those who found him, though too far out to be pulled free by hand.

The Vulcan Materials site, a large sand extraction and processing facility along State Road 100, features borrow pits — excavated areas where sand, gravel, and other materials are removed. These pits can fill with water and sediment, creating deceptive, soft ground that appears solid but gives way under weight.

Officials noted that Giddens had previously trespassed at a different Vulcan facility, though it remains unclear if that prior incident played any role in his presence at this location. The company issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident and cooperating fully with authorities, but declined further comment on security or site conditions.

The case highlights the hazards associated with industrial sites and remote natural areas in Florida, where mud, water, and wildlife can turn routine wanderings into life-threatening situations. Similar incidents have occurred in borrow pits and swamps across the state, sometimes involving hikers, off-road enthusiasts, or individuals in distress.

Search efforts for Giddens began in earnest after his family reported him missing earlier this month. His vehicle being found abandoned near the plant on Tuesday prompted Vulcan employees to join the lookout, ultimately leading to the discovery Wednesday evening.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson confirmed the rescue late Wednesday, describing it as a “successful outcome” to what had been a worrying case. The office praised the coordinated response from multiple agencies and the plant’s staff for their vigilance.

Friends and family expressed relief online and through local media, with some posting messages of gratitude to first responders. One relative told reporters the family had feared the worst given the length of time Giddens had been unaccounted for and the severe weather conditions.

While the exact circumstances that led Giddens into the mud pit have not been fully explained, investigators continue to piece together his movements. No foul play is suspected at this time, and the incident appears to be accidental, though officials are reviewing any potential contributing factors, including trespassing or personal decision-making.

Florida’s environment, with its mix of wetlands, quarries, and industrial sites, has seen a number of unusual survival stories over the years. From people lost in the Everglades to those trapped in sinkholes or remote trails, such rescues often involve prolonged exposure and extreme endurance.

In this instance, Giddens’ survival without sustenance for days — amid dropping temperatures — has drawn comparisons to other remarkable endurance cases. Medical experts note that while the human body can survive several days without water under normal conditions, cold weather accelerates dehydration and energy depletion, making his rescue particularly fortunate.

The Palatka Fire Department posted about the successful operation, thanking partner agencies and highlighting the technical challenges involved. “A huge shoutout to the crews… for their outstanding work during a complex rescue operation,” the department stated.

As Giddens recovers in the hospital, the story serves as a reminder of the importance of situational awareness in Florida’s varied terrain. Authorities urge anyone venturing into rural or industrial areas to inform others of their plans, carry communication devices, and avoid unmarked or unstable ground.

For now, the focus remains on his recovery. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has not indicated any charges related to trespassing or other matters, suggesting the priority is medical treatment and family reunification.

This incident underscores how quickly a personal crisis or misstep can escalate in an unforgiving landscape. What began as a missing person report on Valentine’s Day ended — miraculously — with a life saved from the grip of thick Florida mud.