Man trapped in group chat for three weeks: 'It was honestly okay'

Dave Rusk was added to 'Fantasy League + Birthday Planning 2026 (NEW)' and could not find the exit. Rescuers reached him on day 21.

By Todd, Intern

Day 19: still typing.

Dave Rusk, 34, was rescued Sunday from a group chat he had been trapped inside since the 3rd of the month.

By the time help arrived, the chat contained 1,412 unread messages, 39 polls, and an argument about whether a hot dog is a sandwich that had been going for six straight days.

Rescue crews first tried muting the chat. It came back. They tried archiving it. It came back angrier.

"Around day nine I stopped fighting it," Rusk said, wrapped in a blanket. "I started voting in the polls. I had opinions about the cake. I said 'lol' to a man I've never met."

He survived on reaction GIFs and the occasional thumbs-up. When rescuers finally pulled him out with "Leave group," the chat posted "Dave left" and fourteen people immediately replied "??"

Doctors expect a full recovery, though Rusk still flinches whenever someone says "quick question."