A British tourist has endured a harrowing overnight ordeal in the jungles of northern Thailand after getting lost during a solo cycling expedition.
A Fateful Detour Into Danger
Gordon Dewar, a 63-year-old avid cyclist from London, was returning from a trip across Chiang Mai province on January 10 when he made a critical error. Seeking to immerse himself in the natural surroundings, he decided to leave the main road and attempt a forest trail in the Phrao district.
The rugged terrain quickly proved disorienting, and Gordon lost his way entirely. As sunset approached, his supplies of food and water ran out, leaving him with no choice but to spend the night in the dense, unfamiliar woodland. He was acutely aware that his makeshift camp was shared with the region's deadly wildlife, including cobras, pit vipers, bears, elephants, and leopards.
The Rescue Mission
It was not until the following morning that Gordon was able to call for help. The Chiang Mai Tourist Police received his distress call at approximately 10:30 am local time on January 11.
A complex rescue operation was immediately launched, coordinating local rescue specialists, a team of motocross riders, volunteers, and drone operators to scour the vast jungle area. Following the nature trail, they eventually located the exhausted cyclist roughly two and a half hours later, at nearly 1:00 pm.
Rescuers found Gordon responsive but suffering from severe dehydration and exhaustion after an estimated 15 hours without sustenance. The head of the Phrao rescue team noted the challenging, steep paths of the mountainous terrain were a significant obstacle, requiring about ten people to assist and retrieve his bicycle.
Recovery and Relief
After being reached, Gordon was given vital water and mineral supplements. Medics treated minor cuts and bruises, and officials noted he was also suffering from muscle strain after days of continuous cycling. Despite his ordeal, his overall condition was described as normal.
He was safely escorted out of the forest on the back of a motocross motorcycle, with his own bicycle retrieved undamaged. Once back to safety and after enjoying a packed lunch, a profoundly grateful Gordon expressed his thanks.
"I'm very relieved they found me," he said. "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."
The experienced cyclist had been exploring routes around Chiang Mai and neighbouring Mae Hong Son provinces before his ill-fated decision to take an alternative path back to the city centre.
