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ACCIDENT AT KUCHA: MICHAEL SKUPIN EVACUATED
March 1, 2001
Day 18
 Squatting beside the Kucha tribe's fire, Michael Skupin, the software publisher from White Lake, Michigan, blew on the coals to stimulate the flames...and then the unthinkable happened. Michael inhaled smoke and passed out, falling into the fire. When he regained consciousness, he pushed himself out of the fire, inadvertently putting his hands and wrists directly into the burning coals. With raw flesh hanging from his charred hands, Mike plunged himself into the cold river water to ease the pain, as his shocked tribemates tried to assess what had just happened.
 The Kucha tribe immediately realized the severity of the situation as Mike's agony intensified. Elisabeth tried to reassure Mike, "Stay strong...help is on the way." Alicia gave him some water to drink while Rodger instructed Mike to stay in the shallow part of the water in case he were to pass out again.
When the medical staff arrived, they administered a dressing to Mike's hands and wrists. With the arrival of the helicopter, Mike was loaded safely aboard and looked back at his tribe: "I am looking at some brave and beautiful people that I have grown to love so much. You will be fine without me, you guys know what to do."
 As the helicopter doors were shut in front of them, Elisabeth, Rodger, Nick, Jeff, and Alicia were left behind. As the chopper rose into flight, the dust circled as the remaining members of the Kucha tribe stood courageously in the eye of the storm. Mike's tribe vowed to remain tough, but they could not stop the tears that rolled down their faces as they watched their tribemate depart in agony. Their tribe's loss certainly reminded everyone that Survivor is more than just a game. (  Mike's accident. Jeff's reaction to the accident. )
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