An Irish tourist survived after falling from a height of 200 meters on the slopes of Mount Rinjani. The 31-year-old, Paul Farrell, attempted to climb the main volcano of Lombok Island alone. However, during his trek, he slipped on a gravel slope and tumbled into a ravine over 200 meters deep. Despite this, he only sustained minor injuries.
The rescue team found Paul Farrell sheltering under a small rock. The foreigner had several deep cuts and bruises on his face, legs, and arms. Upon seeing the rescuers, Farrell’s first request was for a cigarette, suggesting he wasn’t fully convinced that help would arrive in time. In a viral video, the Irishman can be seen hugging the rescue workers upon their arrival. He appeared exhausted but extremely relieved. The rescuers lifted him out of the ravine using a pulley system.
Photo: DailyMail
“Thank you so much. You guys saved my life. I would never have made it back without you. From now on, I’m staying safe and not leaving my hotel,” Farrell said, unable to hide his emotions.
It was revealed that during his fall, Farrell was lucky enough to keep his phone functional. Once he regained consciousness, he called the resort where he was staying to ask for help. The hotel staff immediately contacted the police, but the rescue team had difficulty reaching Farrell due to poor communication in the remote location.
Recently, several people have gone missing on the slopes of Rinjani. While search teams have been unable to find Russian hiker Alexandra Mordvinova, who remains missing, the authorities have confirmed the death of a 16-year-old Indonesian, whose body was found near the area where Farrell was rescued.
Just a few weeks prior, another foreigner who also attempted to save money by not hiring a guide was rescued. However, the Russian tourist was less fortunate than Farrell, suffering severe injuries, including head trauma, a broken tailbone, and multiple fractures.
Bali.Live once again reminds travelers that climbing volcanoes carries significant risks, which can be minimized by hiring a local guide. Even if you find detailed maps and instructions online, a guide acts as insurance in case of accidents, ensuring communication and the ability to quickly summon help. Additionally, a guide can provide rescuers with an accurate geolocation in case of an emergency.
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