A 63-year-old British traveler, Gordon Dewar, was successfully rescued after enduring a harrowing night in a dense jungle teeming with snakes. Dewar, who had been on a cycling expedition in Thailand’s Chiang Mai province, strayed off the main road to immerse himself in nature. His misadventure led him into a forest trail in the Phrao district, where he lost his way amidst the challenging terrain on January 10.
With his food and water supply depleted, Dewar found himself stranded in the forest as nightfall approached. He opted to spend the night in the wilderness before alerting the authorities the next day. Throughout the night, he braved the presence of cobras, pit vipers, bears, elephants, and leopards before rescue teams eventually located him.
Expressing his relief at being found, Dewar acknowledged the individuals involved in his safe return, emphasizing the critical role they played in his rescue. The Chiang Mai Tourist Police received the distress call around 10:30 am local time, mobilizing local rescue teams, motocross riders, volunteers, and drone operators to search the area. They finally located Dewar, who was fatigued and dehydrated after approximately 15 hours without sustenance.
Following the successful rescue, Dewar was provided with water, mineral supplements, and medical attention for his minor injuries. Officials noted that he had also experienced muscle strain due to prolonged cycling. Safely extracted from the forest on a motocross motorcycle along with his bike, Dewar expressed gratitude to the rescue team before resuming his cycling journey.
Dewar, who had been exploring cycling routes in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces, diverted from his usual path while returning to the city center. After a replenishing meal, he bid farewell to the rescue team and continued his adventure on two wheels.