A 76-year-old British pensioner has been dramatically rescued after spending 30 hours lost in a ravine during a solo hike in Tenerife. Susan Hornby, from Dorset, was found alive but severely dehydrated and fearing for her life, requiring urgent medical attention and an emergency airlift to hospital.
Holiday Hike Turns to Ordeal
Susan Hornby had been on holiday with her husband, Peter, when she decided to go for a walk alone near Benijo Beach in Tenerife's picturesque Anaga Rural Park. The area is renowned for its stunning volcanic landscapes, powerful coastal waves, and breathtaking sunsets, but it also presents challenging terrain for hikers.
Family members became concerned when Ms. Hornby failed to respond to messages and could not be located through tracking technology. Initially, it was reported that she did not have 'Find My iPhone' enabled on her device, though this was later clarified by family friend Louise Bakewell.
Community Alert and Language Barriers
Louise Bakewell took to social media to raise the alarm, posting: "My sister-in-law's mother, Susan Hornby, aged 76, has gone missing after a walk on her own. She was wearing a red coat and a white hat. We have contacted the police but the language barrier is difficult."
The description of Ms. Hornby's clothing and the appeal for help spread quickly through online communities as concern grew for the missing pensioner, who had embarked on what should have been a three-hour walk but had not been heard from since early morning.
Dramatic Rescue Operation
After an extensive search involving local authorities and concerned community members, Ms. Hornby was finally discovered in a ravine, where she had spent approximately 30 hours exposed to the elements. Rescuers found her in a dehydrated state and visibly distressed about her situation.
An emergency helicopter was dispatched to airlift the pensioner from the difficult terrain to receive immediate medical treatment at a nearby hospital. The Sun reported that she received urgent medical attention upon arrival at the healthcare facility.
Technology Clarification and Safety Advice
Following the successful rescue, Louise Bakewell provided important clarification about the tracking technology situation, writing on Facebook: "Just to clarify – she went off on a walk alone and then became unwell. She did have Find My iPhone enabled on her phone. Please tell your friends and relatives to always enable this if they can, just to be safe."
Bakewell expressed profound gratitude to all those involved in the search and rescue operation, stating: "Thank you for your help and service. What a wonderful group of people—my faith in humanity has been well and truly restored."
Recent Similar Incidents Involving British Pensioners Abroad
This incident follows another concerning case from September involving a British pensioner who went missing while on holiday. Clifford Wildgoose, 76, disappeared for nearly 48 hours after vanishing during a night out on Spain's Costa del Sol.
Mr. Wildgoose was last seen at Patrick's 19th Hole Bar in Puerto Banus before being recognized by an American tourist who contacted his daughter, Melanie Hall. At the time, Ms. Hall expressed her relief, saying: "To say I'm delighted is an understatement. I got straight on the phone to police and they went to pick him up and have taken him to hospital."
She had previously described being "beside herself with worry" during her father's disappearance, highlighting the emotional toll such incidents take on families.
The rescue of Susan Hornby serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions when hiking in unfamiliar terrain, particularly for older travelers exploring abroad. While technology can assist in locating missing persons, the incident underscores how quickly a routine walk can become a life-threatening situation in challenging environments.
