A hiker who went missing while trekking in Brazil and was discovered alive after five days without supplies or communication devices admitted that he believed he wouldn’t survive the experience.
Roberto Farias Tomaz, 19, had been hiking towards Pico Paraná, the tallest mountain in southern Brazil, with a friend when they got separated, leading to his disappearance on January 1. Reports from a firefighter involved in the rescue operation revealed that the young man traversed around 20km alone through the forest until he reached a farm in the town of Cacatu in Antonina on Monday.
Upon arriving at the farm, he borrowed a cellphone to inform his sister of his survival. Subsequently located, the hiker, who had no phone and sustained himself on minimal food and water resources, was taken to the hospital for examinations.
During an emotional interview with RPC, a TV Globo affiliate in Paraná, Roberto shared his harrowing experience, expressing, “I thought it was the end.” Despite hallucinations and the fear of dying, he relied on his faith and thoughts of his family to endure.
Recalling his ordeal, Roberto expressed his determination to return home safely and acknowledged the support of over 100 firefighters and 300 volunteers engaged in the search efforts. He recounted the moment he realized rescue teams were looking for him after hearing a helicopter.
Although he initially feared the search had been called off, Roberto maintained faith in divine protection and persevered. Following medical assessments and hydration procedures, healthcare providers noted abrasions but no severe injuries on the young man. Grateful for the rescue mission, Roberto extended his heartfelt appreciation to all involved.
Reunited with his family in Pinhais, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, Roberto’s relatives shared a message of gratitude for the assistance received. The Governor of Paraná commended the collaborative efforts of the search teams and volunteers, emphasizing their dedication and humanity in the operation.
State Secretary of Public Security, Colonel Hudson Leoncio Teixeira, acknowledged the intense five-day search and the crucial role of rescue teams and volunteers in locating Roberto alive in Antonina.