O britânico e guia de safári de 56 anos, Mike Turner, foi conduzido até o rio Komati, em Moçambique, pelo GPS de seu celular
Redação Publicado em 02/01/2024, às 15h57 - Atualizado em 07/01/2024, às 11h20
Na última quinta-feira, 28, o guia de safári, Mike Turner, passou por momentos de tensão. Após seguir as instruções de um aplicativo de GPS em seu celular, que deveria guiá-lo até uma rodovia próxima, ele foi levado pela correnteza de uma ponte inundada e caiu em um rio infestado de crocodilos. O britânico de 56 anos passou 15 horas agarrado ao veículo parcialmente submerso, de onde foi resgatado pelas autoridades.
Turner estava em seu trajeto rotineiro, seguindo o objetivo de buscar um grupo de turistas, quando foi surpreendido pelo nível de água nas ruas de Moçambique. Explicou o jornal O Globo, o guia chegou a telefonar para conhecidos em busca de ajuda, entretanto, o intenso fluxo do rio Komati impediu que o resgate o alcançasse rapidamente.
Somente no dia seguinte, na manhã de sexta-feira, 29, uma equipe da Força Nacional de Defesa da África do Sul, a bordo de um helicóptero, conseguiu regatá-lo graças à melhora das condições climáticas. Uma vez em terra firme, Turner foi examinado por médicos, que apontaram um quadro de desidratação e estado de choque.
“Fiquei absolutamente apavorado”, afirmou o guia de safári ao jornal The Times. Confira um vídeo do momento do resgate:
@lowvelder A tour guide, Michael Turner (56), was on his way from Mozambique to collect guests in Komatipoort on December 28 when he was thrown into an ordeal in which he literally had to hang on for dear life. He is a British citizen operating from the neighbouring country. At around 20:00 the strong current of the Komati River swept his game-viewing vehicle away when he was crossing a low-level bridge. The game-viewer became lodged on the verge of the bridge, with the two right wheels on the bridge and two left wheels in the river. Four search-and-rescue volunteers from SARZA arrived at 22:00. On their arrival, the situation was assessed by the four volunteers. The current was too strong for them to enter the river. It was also not possible for the volunteers to use a rope to rescue Turner from the raging torrent. They determined that the vehicle was secure in the river and Turner would be safe if he remained in it. Turner sat in the rear of the vehicle through the night. The four volunteers sat across the river from Turner throughout the night and frequently accessed the situation. When daylight broke on Friday December 29. the situation was reassessed. Previously, victims in similar situations were rescued using police jet skis. Unfortunately, due to the strong current, this solution was ruled out. At 11:00 Turner was rescued by the SANDF using a RX helicopter. Turner was treated on the scene by Securicon. He was severely dehydrated, hungry and in shock. He did not suffer any other injuries. The successful rescue of Turner was due to the hard work and dedication of SARZA Nelspruit, SAPS divers and the SANDF. >Video: Supplied/ Captain Pottie Potgieter.#komati#komatipoort#komatiriver#riverrescue#britishcitizen#rescuesouthafrica#helicopter#helicopterrescue#lowveld#caxton#caxtonnewspapers♬ original sound - Lowveld Media
