Recovering a vehicle stuck in the mud isn’t a simple task and requires a certain level of skill. Although it’s not as complex as rocket science, freeing an off-road vehicle calls for careful handling to ensure everything goes smoothly and safely. You definitely don’t want to charge in recklessly, throwing caution to the wind and expecting a miracle. This approach can lead to mishaps like the one shown in this video, where a Ford F-150 Raptor inadvertently drags a stranded SUV into a ditch.
The details in this video are somewhat ambiguous, making it difficult to identify exactly which SUV is being rescued, or even the location of the incident. At first glance, it resembles a Ford Bronco, but upon closer examination, it appears more aligned with the Bronco Sport; there’s even a chance it might be the latest Toyota Land Cruiser. One viewer speculated it to be a Chinese-market Jetour T2, which seems plausible. Ultimately, though, the exact model isn’t the crux of the story, especially when it ends up in a ditch. The main question is how it ended up there.
It’s uncertain why the SUV needed assistance since it appears to be on level ground and could likely drive out by itself. Yet, for reasons that remain unclear to viewers, a recovery strap was somehow secured between the SUV and the F-150 Raptor. The situation takes a bizarre turn from there. Situated just to the right of the SUV is a rather large, deep ditch, meaning the Raptor should have pulled the SUV straight before maneuvering around the ditch. Instead, without heeding this, the driver revs the throttle and pulls the SUV sideways, sending it right into the hole, resulting in the vehicle flipping over onto its roof. This scenario may suggest it was everyone’s first off-road recovery attempt, as no one voiced concerns until it was too late. We can only hope that everyone inside the SUV is unharmed.
What stands out to me is the cameraperson, who remains focused on filming, unwavering as the SUV—likely with at least one passenger—plummets into the surprisingly deep ditch. Their silence is striking; although someone else screams in the background, the cameraperson, reminiscent of a wartime photographer, continues to document what may well be the most peculiar failed off-road recovery I’ve ever witnessed.
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