Gabe Poirot, 20, spent three days in a natural coma followed by 15 days in a medically induced coma after crashing at around 30mph while skateboarding without a helmet. He has since described seeing his own body from above before encountering Jesus Christ during what he describes as a near-death experience.
The accident happened in Texas on 25 October 2021. Poirot has said he suffered a severely shattered skull, brain haemorrhaging and serious lung injuries, and that he initially flatlined before being resuscitated in the ambulance.
While Poirot was unconscious in hospital, his family and friends continued praying for his recovery, something he later incorporated into his account of the experience.
'I Was Above My Own Body'
Poirot spoke about the experience in an interview with Fox News, saying he became aware of his body from above.
'It was pretty wild because I was above my own body,' he said. The 20-year-old recalled looking down and recognising the body as his own, but said he felt separate from it.
'I looked at it and said, "Wow, that's me, but that's not me because I am fully alive now."'
His journey continued with what he believed was a transition towards heaven, saying that the destination was not simply a place but a person. 'Then I was suctioned up, not just to a place; the heaven I was headed for isn't just a destination. Heaven is a person,' he said.
Poirot Describes Jesus
He previously told The Lila Rose Show that Jesus appeared to be around 5ft 11in to 6ft tall, with darker-toned, Middle Eastern-looking skin and slightly curly, medium-length hair. He also described him as being 33 years old while simultaneously 'eternal'.
Poirot said he saw Jesus reflected in the natural world around him, including mountains, trees, rivers and waves.
He recalled the wind moving through the leaves as though they were singing 'worthy is the lamb', with the waters responding with the same phrase.
The Message Poirot Says He Received
According to his account, he was told, 'Tell them who I really am, and tell them and tell my family I'm coming back to get them soon.' He said the message came as he was nearing the end of the experience, before he returned to his body.
Meanwhile, Poirot remained unconscious in hospital. During this time, a family friend named Ginger prayed over him and spoke to him despite his condition.
Ginger later recalled telling Poirot that she believed he could hear her, even though he was unconscious. She encouraged him to wake up and continued praying for him while he remained in a coma.
Poirot believes those prayers were connected to his return, saying they were the prayers he was 'sent back on'.
He described seeing bridges forming between his loved ones on Earth and Jesus, saying the prayers of Ginger, his parents, family and friends appeared to reach Christ.
'I saw those prayers go right into the heart of Christ,' he said, adding that it was those prayers he believed he was 'sent back on'.
Poirot eventually woke after 18 days and, according to CBN, was able to leave the hospital within days. A doctor involved in his treatment described his traumatic brain injury as severe, while Poirot has said he continued to recover after being discharged.
His recovery has since become part of his account of the experience, which he views through his religious beliefs.
