A LONDON couple were rescued from a ravine in the Amazon in Brazil after calling relatives thousands of miles away back in England, according to British media reports Thursday.
Lesley Norris and Bruce Scott, both in their 60s, got stuck in the remote spot – about 200 miles (320km) southwest of the city of Manaus – after a bridge collapsed Tuesday and their motor home hurtled down a steep slope and turned on its side, The Times reported.
A trans-Atlantic rescue operation swung into action after Scott used his cell phone to ring family in the southeast England coastal town of Eastbourne, more than 5,000 miles (8,000km) away, and alert them to the couple’s predicament.
His relatives contacted the Dover Coastguard, sparking a train of conversations that eventually led to the relevant authorities in Brazil being informed, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Norris and Scott were picked up by a Brazilian army helicopter Wednesday and flown to Manaus, a popular tourist center some 1,200 miles (1,900km) from the federal capital, Brasilia. They were unhurt apart from cuts and bruises.
Norris’ sister, Jenny, said, “They feel lucky to be alive. They are both very shaken up but thank goodness they are both unhurt.”
Captain Elias Voulgarelis, of the Brazilian Navy, said, “This was in an area with no access by river, so it had to be by air rescue. They are in good health.”
The pair have reportedly been traveling around Latin and South America in a motor home for the past four years.
Fred Caygill, of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said, “It’s not the first time we’ve assisted people across the world. This is a bit unusual for us as it’s not of a maritime nature, but there are no boundaries in search and rescue.”
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