The question of what happens to us when we die is one that has puzzled humanity for centuries and will probably never really be answered, but one man who was clinically dead for an hour is claiming that he visited heaven and was reunited with his dead friends before he was resurrected.

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Dr Gary Wood was 18 when he was involved in a serious car accident that left him with life threatening injuries, including a crushed larynx and vocal chords, several broken bones and getting his nose ripped off. His injuries were so severe that he was pronounced dead at the scene, but Wood somehow displayed signs of life an hour later and was revived. He claims that he ascended to heaven in that hour.

Here’s what he had to say about the experience, which he still remembers vividly despite the fact that it happened over 50 years ago:

Dying is just like taking your clothes off and just laying them aside.

I stepped out of this body, this Earth suit, and then was lifted up through the top of my car and my whole life just passed before my eyes in just an instant.

Then I was caught in a swirling massive funnel shape cloud that grew brighter.

It was ecstasy – peaceful, calm, tranquility.

Then this cloud opened up and I saw this giant golden satellite, suspended in space that the Bible calls Heaven.

I was greeted by an angel that was at least seventy feet tall at gates that were at least 500 miles wide.

He had a sword, he had beautiful gold, spun hair. And there was an angel inside of the city that was holding some books.

There was some exchange between the two angels and then I was allowed into the city.

I was met by my best friend in high school who had been killed in a lawnmower accident.

Then my friend began to take me on a tour of a place called ‘Heaven’

About 500 yards from the throne room of God, my friend took me and I was captivated by the sign on the outside that said ‘Unclaimed Blessings’.

When I opened the door, to my astonishment I saw legs hanging there from the wall, real legs.

Every part of one’s anatomy was there in that room and people asked my ‘why do you need a place like that?’ Because God has a spare part when God has a miracle.

I was sent back to tell people that Heaven is real, there is a song to sing, there is a mission or journey to take, there is a book to write. You’re unique in purpose on this Earth.

Jesus told me to give a specific message – there will be a spirit of restoration that would prevail throughout the land, there would be a teaching and emphasis on prayer.

When my friend was taking me on this tour, as Sue (his sister who was also in the car crash) began to cry out, my friend said to me ‘you’ve got to go back, she’s using that name’.

And so I just shot right back down into my body. They noticed life signs, they rushed me to the hospital to stabilise me.

Right. I mean that’s a great story and all, but it also sounds like a complete and utter fabrication. You hear about people who are in comas or whatever having super intense experiences in their dreams and I think that’s probably what happened here.

Like this dude would be the one guy picked to go to heaven and then come back to Earth to spread the word. Get real. In fairness to Gary though, he has become a minister and written several books on his experience (not sure how he managed to do that as he pretty much summed it up in a couple of paragraphs there) so he’s at least gone for it full on since having this ‘experience’, but unfortunately for him I still don’t believe it’s true. Sorry pal – good story though.

For more dying, check out these scientists who say they know exactly what dying feels like. Spoiler – it doesn’t sound like it’s fun.