Man missing in desert for three weeks survived on diet of frogs and roots
Friday 13 July 2012
Related articles
An autistic man survived in the desert for three weeks on a diet of frogs and roots, US authorities have said.
William Martin LaFever was discovered wandering in the Escalante Desert of southern Utah.
He had been missing for three weeks after attempting to walk from Boulder, Utah, to Page, Arizona - a distance of around 90 miles.
The 28-year-old, from Colorado Springs, told rescuers he survived by drinking water from the Escalante River and on whatever meagre food he was able to scavenge.
When rescuers found LaFever he was severely emaciated, and search and rescue workers said that he would not have survived another 24 hours.
It is thought that LaFever had travelled around 40 miles over at least three weeks according to estimates by the Garfield County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Becki Bronson said: “It is some of the most rugged, unforgiving terrain you will find anywhere on Earth, jagged cliffs, stone ledges, sandstone, sagebrush, juniper.”
“Where William was hiking, there just isn't anyone out there,” she said. “There are no people. There are no towns.”
Following a search and rescue operation LaFever was taken to a local hospital by helicopter.
His current condition is unknown.
Search and rescue workers said it was remarkable that LaFever was spotted and rescued.
Mr LaFever had called his father on June 6 or 7 to inform his that he was hiking in the Boulder area with his dog, but that some of his hiking equipment had been stolen and he had run out of money.
His father had told him to hitch a lift to Page where he would send him some money.
However, LaFever decided to attempt to walk the 90 mile journey instead.
On the journey his dog abandoned him and LaFever began dumping his hiking gear until all he had remaining was the clothes he was wearing when he was found. The dog has not been seen since.
The phone call back in early June was the last time that any of the family members heard from LaFever. His sister reported him missing on Monday.
Deputy Ray Gardner, who took part in the operation to rescue Mr LaFever had fortuitously recently undergone a training course in search and rescue operations for people with autism.
The training had taught Gardner that autistic people are often naturally drawn to water.
The helicopter therefore focused on the Escalante River, where Mr LaFever was eventually spotted.
-
That's some guestlist! Stunning images show huge dynastic wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families which attracted 25,000 guests
-
'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
-
National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
-
World news in pictures
-
Eyewitness Ingrid Loyau-Kennett gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with Woolwich attackers
- 1 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 2 Mothers' diets may harm IQs in two-thirds of babies
- 3 Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
- 4 Eyewitness Ingrid Loyau-Kennett gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with Woolwich attackers
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL might have a sinister plan as a soldier is murdered in suspected Islamic terrorist attack
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
Day In a Page
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’






Comments