Missing hiker’s harrowing 6 phrases after surviving days with out meals and water
Missing for five days with no food, water or phone, 19-year-old hiker Roberto Tomaz was miraculously found alive after fearing he would die in the Brazilian wilderness
A missing hiker, aged 19, was found alive five days after he went missing with no phone or food, and glumly admitted he thought he would die during the ordeal.
The hiker is a young Brazilian named Roberto Farias Tomaz, who had been hiking on a trail which leads to Pico Parana, dubbed the ‘highest mountain in southern Brazil’. He took the adventure on with a friend but they became separated during the exploration, which left Tomaz missing on the 1st of January- not the best start to the year.
A rescuer of the missing hiker explained that Tomaz had walked alone through the woods for around 20km until he discovered a farm in the town of Cacatu, a rural municipality of Antonia on Monday.
Upon arrival Tomaz managed to finally get hold of a phone and call his sister, explaining he was alive and he was located. He explained his ordeal of which he had survived without any essentials, including food or water and was taken to be tested as a result at a hospital.
“I thought it was the end.” He explained to a local TV network, RPC. Tomaz explained how he’d “hallucinated that I might have already died” contextualising the intensity of his ordeal.
Tomaz credits his survival to his family, faith and devotion to stay strong for both.
In recollection of his discovery of the town, Tomaz said: “I wanted to get home safe and sound” and he “followed his destiny” and that the path he continued down was given to him by God: “this path he gave me, this rocky path.” and a rocky path it certainly was.
On the fifth day, Tomaz finally found his way back and was sent to be checked by medical professionals. He concluded: “I can only thank everyone who went up, those who prayed, those who felt this emotion along with my family, who were also there. I can only thank God very much.”
He left his most sincere thanks to his mother: “My mother, my main guide, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much to everyone.”
Today, Tomaz is enjoying his well deserved time home with family, who live in Pinhas, a metropolitan region of Curitiba. The family reunion has been one of love and hope and gratitude, as the family sent out an update: “We found Roberto! He is alive, he is well, and he is already being taken to the hospital. Thank you to all the angels who came here to help us! Thank you for your prayers.”
Tomaz’s courageous journey back home saw well wishing messages form the Governor of Parana- Ratinho Junior, who praised all involved: “Young Roberto was found in Antonina and is already receiving care. Our sincere thanks to the fire department, the Secretary of Public Security, and all the volunteers who worked with dedication and humanity in this search.”
With the State Secretary of Public Security adding to these comments: “It was five days of intense searching by our security forces… the mobilisation and preparedness of the rescue teams, with the support of several volunteers, were fundamental to the success of the operation.”
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