An extremely complex rescue mission took up again this morning at first light to try and locate a young radical sport enthusiast who seems to have been swallowed up by a deep well along the Cabril river, in Gerês.
The 33-year-old from Porto is understood to have been “canyoning” – a sport that involves following water courses downstream – when he disappeared from the sight of his ‘buddy’.
Right now, the rope that he used to make his descent is visible, but “there is no sign of him”, writes Observador website.
Rescue workers have been trying to make headway since the young man went missing on Saturday, but as local fire chief Hernâni Carvalho has explained, the area is “extremely difficult to get to”, requiring at least an hour’s walk from the last place accessible by any kind of vehicle.
The deep pool, or well, ends in a lagoon surrounded by branches and the roots of trees, he added.
Today’s strategy is to try and dam the flow of water as this has been hampering the teams involved.
According to national media, there are over 40 men trying to locate the young sportsman, including GNR police. Air support is also on hand.
Canyoning is a popular radical sport promoted in the Gerês national park. See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAFJitC7yHE
By NATASHA DONN [email protected]
