MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

DAP helicopter rescues lost tourists

Two foreign tourists that has been missing for a month were rescued by a DAP helicopter during a routine commercial flight.

Guy Gabay, 31, and Michael Fricke, 29, left from Ushuaia January 2 for a three days mountain exploration and were reported missing by the hostel landlord January 11.

Search parties from the Argentine police, civil defence, municipal, provincial and forestry departments were organized with support from the Coast Guard and the Gendarmerie. However in spite of the man hours spent and area covered the tourists continued disappeared. Last Friday a rescue team from Israel contracted by the Gabay family arrived to join the search.

However chance had it that a DAP helicopter flying to Puerto Williams from Punta Arenas, when crossing an estuary sighted two people desperately signalling and with a gigantic SOS made up of wood remains in the beach.

"From that moment we begun circling over them realizing it was the two missing young fellows", said pilot Marcelo Lira.

"They couldn't believe we had rescued them", added Mr. Lira on arriving in Punta Arenas.

Although looking tired and with clear evidence of having lost weight, Guy and Michael were in good spirit and jumped off the helicopter on their own ready to meet the Punta Arenas press that was waiting to interview the survivors.

"We heard the helicopters overhead many times but the rainy weather and low clouds impeded them from seeing us, but we're safe and sound and very happy to be back", said Michael Fricke

"We fed on forest nuts and sea shells, and yes we were scared, particularly if you don't have an idea where you are", added Guy, who is a computer engineer.

Michael Fricke a physiotherapist has been travelling in South America for eight months and Guy for two months.