This man who came back to life after falling off a cliff was stunned by who he met in heaven

Death and the afterlife are two mysteries that have always fascinated people. We wonder what happens when we die and whether there is something waiting for us on the other side. Many people who have had near-death experiences share remarkable stories about what they saw and felt. These stories often include striking similarities, even among children who are too young to be influenced by movies or stories about heaven and the afterlife.

One such story is about Jim ‘Bubba’ Bay, who survived a fall off a cliff and lived to share his incredible experience. Jim’s story is not just about his survival but also about the amazing things he says he saw and how his life has changed since then. He shared his journey on The Other Side NDE podcast, and it’s nothing short of extraordinary.

Jim had already faced a lot of heartbreak in his life before his near-death experience. He and his ex-wife had lost two children. One was born prematurely and passed away after just 10 days. The other, a twin, had kidney disease and died at the age of 18. The loss of their children and the financial stress of medical bills strained their marriage. Although they still loved each other, they decided to separate. Jim moved out so their surviving children could continue living in the family home with their mother.

After moving out, Jim struggled with his weight and tried to stay active by taking up metal detecting and long walks around his neighborhood. On November 15, 2019, his parents visited him, and after a meal, Jim decided to go for a walk to clear his head. It was a dark night, and the road he walked on had no streetlights. Jim, being cautious, always walked facing traffic. That night, he saw car headlights coming toward him and stepped aside to let the cars pass.

But something unexpected happened. Jim lost his footing and suddenly found himself falling off a cliff. He landed hard, hitting his head. The pain was unbearable. Jim touched his head and realized his skull was exposed. He had no way to call for help since his flip phone had no signal or light. Alone, injured, and in pain, Jim thought about his ex-wife and their remaining children, imagining the grief they would feel if he didn’t make it. He crawled to a nearby log, clinging to it as blood and tears poured from his head wound. His thoughts turned to his two deceased children, wondering if they were in heaven.

At that moment, something extraordinary happened. Jim saw a bright light that illuminated the entire valley. A figure appeared, coming closer and closer. Jim describes this figure as a “grandfather-like” presence and believes it was God. Standing beside God were his two late children. Jim didn’t speak to them, and they didn’t speak to him, but their presence brought him comfort. He believed their appearance was a sign that heaven is real and that they were there to show him where they were.

Jim explains that communicating with God didn’t require words. Thoughts flowed back and forth effortlessly. God told Jim that his time on Earth wasn’t over and that he had more to do. This gave Jim the strength he needed to keep fighting. The light suddenly disappeared, as if someone had blown out a candle, and Jim knew he had to survive.

Despite his severe injuries—26 fractures, a broken back, 11 broken ribs, and bleeding in his brain—Jim managed to spot a house with a lit window in the distance. He crawled toward it, trailing blood and pushing through immense pain. When he finally reached the house, he rang the doorbell and collapsed on the lawn. His neighbor, who had just returned from a long drive, answered the door and was shocked by Jim’s appearance. She later compared him to a horror movie character, Freddy Krueger. She quickly called emergency services, and Jim was rushed to the hospital.

Doctors placed Jim in an induced coma, and he underwent multiple blood transfusions to save his life. The fall had caused so much damage that even his cousin couldn’t recognize him when they came to visit. Jim later found out how lucky he was—the neighbor who saved him had almost delayed her return home, and if she hadn’t been there, he would have died.

Jim sees the timing of his neighbor’s return as an act of divine intervention. He believes God played a role in aligning everything to save his life. Since his recovery, Jim has written a book about his experience called Miracle On Hammertown Road. He speaks openly about his near-death experience and how it has changed him.

Although Jim now lives with chronic pain, he feels that the experience gave him new confidence and a sense of purpose. Before the accident, he was shy and reserved, but now he enjoys talking to people and sharing his story. He calls this newfound sociability a “gift” he received in exchange for everything he went through. Jim continues to inspire others with his story, reminding them of the power of faith, resilience, and the belief that there is more to life—and death—than we can fully understand.