Authorities say a man who broke both legs when he fell into a New Mexico ravine crawled out on to a highway nearly three days later and was helped by a driver.

The Daily Times reported that 48-year-old Jeffrey Darling had called authorities for help from his cellphone early on Tuesday morning, but he couldn’t tell them exactly where he had fallen and dispatchers lost contact with him when his phone’s battery apparently died.

A search for him was unsuccessful.

San Juan County sheriff’s detective Lieutenant Cory Tanner said deputies believe Darling had vision problems and accidentally fell into the ravine. He was found on Thursday about 300 yards from where he fell.

Tanner says Darling apparently set a fire for warmth. Darling remained hospitalized on Monday and was unable to speak with a reporter.