A man who survived one of the most extreme workplace accidents ever recorded is now facing a new kind of violation - this time online.
Loren Schauers, 25, lost everything below his waist after a forklift he was driving fell 50 feet from a bridge and landed on him in Great Falls, Montana.
Years after undergoing a rare and radical surgery to save his life, Loren has been hit with a new devastating blow.
Shocking accident that changed everything
Back in September 2019, Loren was just 18 when the forklift crash shattered his body and future.
Doctors performed a hemicorporectomy - amputating everything below the waist - to save his life. He also lost part of his right arm and now uses a bionic prosthetic.
During his recovery, Loren and his wife Sabia Reiche began sharing their journey online, attracting a global audience. Their openness and resilience earned admiration, but also sparked a bizarre wave of conspiracy theories.
Identity theft adds new distress
Sadly, Loren recently revealed on Facebook that a fake profile on the platform is using his name and photos to mislead thousands.
The imposter account has gathered over 25,000 followers by copying videos from his real social media accounts and YouTube channel.
Now, Loren says trolls have crossed a new line by impersonating him on Facebook. In a recent post, he wrote, “Yet another impersonator page y’all, you know the drill,” urging supporters to report the page and flag it as fake.
The fraudulent profile, created in May, has posted hundreds of videos taken from Loren’s real channels, misleading viewers and profiting from his story. It’s not the first time the couple has been targeted.
In 2022, conspiracy theorists accused them of faking the accident using CGI.
Strength and challenges moving forward
Loren previously recalled being conscious after the crash and understanding what was about to happen.
When doctors warned him he could either lose the lower half of his body or die in surgery, he immediately chose to live. Sabia said he told surgeons to do whatever it took - even if he was just a head on a plate.
The couple has refused to let the harassment stop them. They continue to post on YouTube and have built a strong community of followers who support their story.
But the fake profile - and the spread of misinformation - remains a serious concern for Loren, who’s already been through more than most people will in a lifetime.