On May 12, 1997, while Dan was working as a laborer, he was crushed under a 2.5-3-ton cement wall after a truck backed into it. His hard hat saved him from a severe head injury, but he was pinned, unable to breathe, and quickly lost consciousness.
As he blacked out, Dan experienced a profound near-death event. He found himself in a radiant, peaceful hall filled with joyful people in white gowns. Among them was a woman resembling his mother in her youth, whom he later believed to be his grandmother. She told him he had to return to Earth because people depended on him. Reluctantly, Dan returned and managed to take a breath just as rescuers freed him from the wall, after being trapped for 8-10 minutes.
Dan spent three months in the hospital, including six weeks in a coma. During that time, he had additional out-of-body experiences, including visiting a dark, frightening place. These events confirmed his belief in an afterlife, inspiring him to live as a better person and help others. While he no longer fears death, Dan is committed to living with purpose and kindness.