Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Patient walks 7.5 km through sewage tunnel to escape psychiatric hospital

A Nuevo León psychiatric patient had an unenviable adventure this week when he attempted to escape from a hospital via a sewage tunnel.

Gerardo ‘N’ escaped from a hospital in the Topo Chico neighborhood of Monterrey on Wednesday by throwing himself into an open drainage channel. Despite a missing hand and several toes, Gerardo made it roughly 7.5 kilometers along the tunnel before a resident heard him shouting for help, the newspaper Milenio reported.

Mario Contreras heard someone calling outside his home, but when he looked out into the street, he didn’t see anyone.

“I was asleep near the window when I heard a voice shouting, ‘Help!’” Contreras said. “I woke up, but I thought it was from the house across from mine. Then my wife and I saw that it was coming from the sewer.”

With the help of neighbors, Contreras removed the concrete drain cover and was shocked to find a man standing in the stinking water below.

He asked for food, so a neighbor made him meat and potato tacos.

“He looked tired and hungry, really messed up,” she said.

Local news sources reported that Gerardo suffered from symptoms of sewer gas poisoning, and said he was taken to a hospital for medical revision.

With reports from Milenio

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Travelers to Baja California Sur are advised to exercise increased caution, avoid crowds, monitor local media for official updates and follow instructions from local authorities.

US, Canada issue security alert for Los Cabos and La Paz, BCS

2
The alert comes after multiple shootings and clashes between civilians and police were reported in the area surrounding Los Cabos last week.
Earthquake alert drill in Mexico

How to prepare for Tuesday’s earthquake alert drill 

2
The earthquake drill, set for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, will test Mexico's alert system and give residents an opportunity to practice potentially life-saving actions in the event of a disaster.
President Sheinbaum raises a fist while standing next to a military engineer

Sheinbaum inaugurates work on CDMX-Querétaro train

3
Though estimated costs have ballooned, the president promised the new rail line would be complete by the end of 2027.