A British tourist has endured a harrowing overnight ordeal after getting lost while cycling through a remote jungle in northern Thailand.
A Fateful Detour into the Wilderness
Gordon Dewar, a 63-year-old avid cyclist from London, was exploring routes around Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces. On January 10, while heading back towards the city centre, he made a critical decision to leave the main road, veering onto a forest trail in the Phrao district to immerse himself in nature.
The rugged terrain quickly proved challenging, and Gordon lost his way. As sunset approached, he realised he could not find his way out. With his supplies of food and water depleted, he made the prudent choice to camp where he was in the dense woodland, planning to call for help at first light.
A Perilous Night and Complex Rescue
Gordon spent approximately 15 hours in the jungle, a habitat home to a host of dangerous wildlife including cobras, pit vipers, bears, elephants, and leopards. The following morning, he contacted the Chiang Mai Tourist Police at around 10:30 am local time.
A rescue operation was immediately launched, coordinating local rescuers, motocross riders, volunteers, and drone operators to scour the vast area. The team traced the nature trail and, after a search, found Gordon at nearly 1:00 pm. He had been waiting for help for around three hours.
The head of the Phrao rescue team described the challenges, stating, "Around 10 of us were deployed to help him, as the steep path was the obstacle due to the mountainous terrain. We also had to carry his bicycle out."
Exhausted But Unharmed
Rescuers found Gordon responsive but suffering from severe exhaustion and dehydration. He had been without food or water for about 12-15 hours and also had minor cuts and bruises. Medics on site provided him with water, mineral supplements, and treated his injuries. Officials noted he was also suffering from muscle strain after days of continuous cycling.
"He was slightly exhausted from a lack of water and food, but his overall condition was normal," the rescue team head confirmed.
Expressing his profound relief, Gordon said, "I'm very relieved they found me. Without any food or drinks, I don't think I could have survived another night. I want to thank all of the people that helped to bring me back to safety."
After being safely extracted from the forest on a motocross motorcycle—with his own bicycle retrieved undamaged—Gordon savoured a packed lunch. He thanked the rescue team thoroughly before cycling away from the dramatic incident.
