Claim:
A man rescued by a North Carolina lineman after being buried in mud by Hurricane Helene said he knew his wife and children had died beneath him because they stopped scratching his leg three days before.
Rating:
Research In Progress ( About this rating? )
A rumor circulating online following Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall in the U.S. South in late September 2024 tells the tragic story of a North Carolina lineman finding a man buried in mud. According to social media posts, the man told the lineman he didn’t want to live anymore, and that he knew his wife and children were dead because had they stopped scratching his leg three days before. The posts contained no identifying information, nor did they mention a location or date when the supposed incident took place. At least one version of the story said the lineman worked for the power company Duke Energy.
One of the most commonly shared versions of the rumor read as follows:
A lineman in North Carolina said they found a man buried up to his shoulders and as they tried to dig him out he said “Dont, please let me go, I dont wanna live anymore.” They asked him why he didnt want to live & he said “bcuz my wife & children are gone.” They told him many ppl are still being found & his family could be safe and he replied “i know they didnt make it bcuz theyre under me & they stopped scratching my leg 3 days ago.” But we send Lebanon more money.