Five people were rescued after surviving 36 hours on a plane in a Bolivian swamp filled with alligators, following an emergency landing due to altitude loss. They lived off cassava flour while being unable to leave the plane due to nearby predators. The group was ultimately located and rescued by local fishermen and taken to a hospital.
A dramatic survival story unfolded in Bolivia’s Amazon region as five individuals, including a child, endured 36 harrowing hours atop a capsized plane in a swamp teeming with alligators, following an emergency landing. Local officials and pilot Andres Velarde confirmed the rescue took place after the single-engine aircraft lost altitude mid-flight from Baures to Trinidad. Fortunately, the crew and passengers, comprised of three women, a child, and Velarde, were retrieved in “excellent condition” after being stranded.
The emergency unfolded when Velarde, aged 29, reported that the plane suddenly descended towards thick vegetation. In a desperate attempt to save everyone on board, he found a swamp near a lagoon, opting for that precarious landing site. “Surrounded by alligators that came within three meters of us,” Velarde recounted to local media from his hospital bed, mentioning they also spotted an anaconda swimming nearby. Surprisingly, Velarde speculated that leaking kerosene from the plane provided some level of protection from the alligators.
As time stretched on, the stranded group faced dire conditions, having minimal sustenance. They survived on cassava flour, one of the passenger’s provisions, while being unable to drink water. They remained confined due to the lurking threat of alligators. Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation was instigated Thursday night when the plane vanished from radar.
The tense hours culminated in their rescue when local fishermen spotted them and called for help. It wasn’t long before a helicopter delivered them safely to a nearby hospital. Ruben Torres, head of the Beni Region Health Department, expressed relief upon their recovery, noting the collaborative efforts of various institutions in the search. “I am really happy because in the end, all the institutions joined together to be able to find the missing people and save those lives,” he stated, highlighting the organization’s successful mission in a troubling scenario.
In summary, the quick action by the pilot and the combined efforts of local rescuers ensured the survival of the five individuals in a perilous situation. Their harrowing experience atop the plane in an alligator-rich swamp underscores the dangers of flying in remote areas, yet also highlights human resilience and cooperation in crisis situations. After facing extreme circumstances, the safe return of the survivors is a testament to their determination and the efficiency of local emergency services.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
