A man who was clinically dead for 17 minutes has shared his astonishing near-death experience, revealing vivid visions and profound insights that changed his life forever.
Tony Yahle, from Ohio, collapsed at home in 2013 and was rushed to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead after failing to revive him. His wife, Melissa, refused to give up hope and begged medical staff to continue efforts to save him.
Miraculously, after 17 minutes without a heartbeat, Tony's heart started beating again. Doctors were stunned, calling it a "medical miracle".
Tony recalls floating above his body, watching the frantic efforts of the medical team. "I could see everything happening below me," he said. "I felt completely at peace, like I was being pulled towards a bright light."
He describes encountering a spiritual presence that communicated with him without words. "It wasn't a voice, but I understood everything. I was told it wasn't my time and I had to go back."
Since his recovery, Tony says he's gained a new appreciation for life. "I don't fear death anymore. I know there's something beautiful waiting for us."
His story has fascinated medical professionals and spiritual seekers alike, reigniting debates about consciousness and the afterlife.
Neurologists remain divided on explanations for near-death experiences, with some suggesting they're caused by reduced oxygen to the brain, while others believe they point to consciousness existing beyond the physical body.
Tony's case is particularly remarkable due to the extended duration of his clinical death - most near-death experiences occur during much shorter periods of cardiac arrest.
His wife Melissa calls his recovery "nothing short of divine intervention". "The doctors had given up," she recalls. "They called his time of death. What happened next defies all medical explanation."
