Author: CARLOS VALDEZ Associated Press, ISABEL DEBRE Associated Press, ABC News
Published on: 03/05/2025 | 20:04:33
AI Summary:
“We couldn’t believe it, that they weren’t attacked and left for dead,” doctor says. The pilot, 27-year-old Pablo Andrés Velarde, emerged Friday to tell the story that has transfixed many Bolivians. “The mosquitoes wouldn’t let us sleep,” he tells reporters from his hospital cot. Alligators and snakes watched us all night, but they didn’t come close. Velarde speculated it was the stench of jet fuel spilling from the wreckage. There’s no scientific proof that’s an effective alligator repellent. The small plane had set off from Bolivian village of Baures. “It was just swamp.” Instead of skidding across the shore as planned, the plane smashed into the ground and flipped upside down. The five of them managed to clamber on top of the fuselage. They stayed for two terrifying nights surrounded by caimans and anacondas.
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