7101 HANDSET
Thuraya Handset Saves Explorer
An expedition from the Scientific Exploration Society was moving through the rapids of the little known Ethiopian Beschillo River. The river is a tributary of the legendary Blue Nile and is noted for its high population of crocodiles. The flotilla of Avon inflatable boats was preceded by an inflatable canoe named “Fearnaught”. This craft recced the rapids ahead of the flotilla, dodging the growing numbers of inquisitive crocodiles.
Suddenly shots rang out. “Fearnaught” was under fire from a group of six fierce looking tribesmen on the bank who forced the boat to stop. The flotilla unable to go upstream against the current, arrived and found themselves also held up by the bandits, who were now demanding money. Although the expedition out numbered the bandits they only had a pistol. The tribesmen were carrying AK47 automatic rifles and refused to let the boats move.
Negotiations got nowhere but Colonel John Blashford-Snell, the expedition leader, was carrying a Thuraya Satellite phone. The bandits seemed to think this was just a short range VHF radio and did not confiscate it. Thus John Blashford-Snell was able to call the Scientific Exploration Society Base in Britain, the British Embassy in Addis Ababa and the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence. As a result a police task force was despatched. Moving by vehicle and on foot the police set out to cover some 40 kms of challenging mountainous terrain, between their base and the captured expedition.
After night fell, using the Thuraya, John kept in touch with his support group leader, Simon Hampel, who was accompanying the police and also had a Thuraya. “Do not aggravate these men” warned the police chief “Their leader is a known murderer”. By now the police were running down precipitous slopes in the dark. At 0500 hours they called John “We are going to attack the bandits at dawn. You must all lie down on the ground so we don’t confuse you with them” they instructed. Sure enough as daylight crept into the valley the police appeared. Many looked rather like the villains and were well armed. The bandits seemed confused as the newcomers approached but in seconds with only a few blows the police captured and disarmed them. Not a shot had been fired. It was a very professional “snatch”, the soldiers in the expedition agreed.
“Would you like a cup of tea? asked the expedition leader and the police joined them for a well earned breakfast before marching back over the mountains with their prisoners.
The next day “Fearnaught” was attacked by a crocodile and deflated but the crew survived unhurt. The incident was reported via the Thuraya handset to the Scientific Exploration Society UK Base. But that’s another story….”
The incident was featured in the press and shown repeatedly on Sky TV News.
Visit Scientific Exploration Society website www.ses-explore.org