A man was found with his hands nailed to a tree in New Mexico in an alleged act of revenge for a real estate deal gone bad.

CBS News reports that a city worker in Albequerque came across the mail, still conscious, nailed to a tree in May, and called police to help free him.

“He kept yelling, ‘Help. Help,’ and so I came and I saw him and I kind of freaked out because I didn’t know if there was any other guys around,” the worker reportedly told police.

CBS and Daily Mail obtained video of the dramatic rescue, which reportedly took several hours as the victim groaned in pain.

WARNING: DISTURBING VIDEO

The victim has been identified as Jose Duran, and he reportedly told police that two men had tried to kill him. A few days after the attack, he gave an interview to CBS News in which he said the men tortured him as revenge for a real estate deal gone bad.

Police told CBS News they did not think Duran had been involved in anything illegal, and the suspect has no criminal record.

No arrests have been made.

Feature photo: CBS News video screenshot