British Woman Found Alive After 30 Hours Lost in Tenerife Ravine

A British woman, 76, has been found safe after being lost for about 30 hours in a ravine in Tenerife. She was taken to the hospital for care.
By Newsroom | News, Tenerife |

A 76-year-old British woman, Susan Hornby, has been found alive in a ravine in Tenerife after going missing for approximately 30 hours. She was airlifted to a hospital to receive medical attention.

British pensioner, 76, who went missing during hike in Tenerife is found alive in ravine after 30 hours and is airlifted to hospital - 1

Mrs. Hornby was on holiday with her husband, Peter, and had gone for a solo walk on Friday morning. She was reported missing when she did not respond to messages from her family. While it was initially reported that her 'Find My iPhone' feature was not enabled, other reports suggest it was indeed active.

British pensioner, 76, who went missing during hike in Tenerife is found alive in ravine after 30 hours and is airlifted to hospital - 2

Details of the Incident

  • Subject: Susan Hornby, 76-year-old British woman.

  • Location: Tenerife, Spain.

  • Timeline of Disappearance: Mrs. Hornby set off on a solo walk on Friday morning, around 10 am local time. She was found approximately 30 hours later.

  • Circumstances: She was found in a ravine. Reports indicate she was dehydrated and feared for her life.

  • Rescue and Medical Attention: She was airlifted to a hospital for urgent medical treatment.

  • Initial Reports of Communication Device: Contradictory information exists regarding the status of her 'Find My iPhone' feature. Some reports state it was enabled, while others suggest it was not.

The discovery of Mrs. Hornby follows other instances of British nationals going missing or being found in challenging circumstances in Spain:

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British pensioner, 76, who went missing during hike in Tenerife is found alive in ravine after 30 hours and is airlifted to hospital - 3

  • In June 2024, a 70-year-old British man was found dead in the Spanish Pyrenees after disappearing during a mountain hike. Rescue efforts involved specialists from the Civil Guard's Greim unit, the same unit involved in searching for Jay Slater in Tenerife.

  • In July 2024, Jay Slater, a British holidaymaker, was found dead in a ravine in Tenerife. He had reportedly been attempting to scale cliffs in a desperate bid to reach the sea after a night out.

  • In April 2019, a British father and son, Daniel and Liam Poole (aged 46 and 22), disappeared six days after checking into a hotel in Malaga. Their family expressed concern due to their consistent communication habits.

  • A report from May 2024 noted a lifeless body found at the bottom of a ravine in Tenerife, near La Orotava. Investigators were exploring connections to missing person reports in the area.

  • In October 2024, a British tourist who had been missing for nearly a week in Tenerife was found alive and well.

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These cases highlight the potential risks associated with outdoor activities and navigating unfamiliar terrain, particularly in rugged areas like ravines. The circumstances of each disappearance, including the role of communication devices and the duration of absence, appear to be key factors in the investigation and rescue efforts.

British pensioner, 76, who went missing during hike in Tenerife is found alive in ravine after 30 hours and is airlifted to hospital - 4

Analysis of Information

The conflicting reports regarding the 'Find My iPhone' feature are noteworthy. If the feature was indeed enabled, could its functionality have aided search efforts sooner? Conversely, if it was not, does this indicate a lack of preparedness or a misunderstanding of available safety tools?

The finding of Mrs. Hornby in a ravine, after a solo hike, raises questions about the terrain's suitability for her walk and whether she deviated significantly from a planned route. The duration of her absence, 30 hours, suggests a prolonged period of vulnerability and the potential for severe dehydration.

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The existence of similar incidents, including the tragic case of Jay Slater in a Tenerife ravine and the discovery of another body in a ravine in the same region, underscores the inherent dangers of the landscape. Was there any commonality in the intended routes or the conditions Mrs. Hornby encountered?

Expert Insights

While direct expert commentary on this specific event is not available in the provided text, related reports touch upon the operations of mountain rescue teams. The involvement of the Civil Guard's Greim unit in both the Pyrenees incident and the search for Jay Slater indicates their crucial role in complex mountain rescues. The effectiveness of search technologies, such as scent-tracking dogs mentioned in relation to Jay Slater's case, can be critical in locating individuals in difficult terrain.

Conclusion

Susan Hornby's survival after 30 hours in a Tenerife ravine represents a successful rescue outcome. The incident, however, brings attention to the challenges of solo hiking, the importance of communication, and the inherent risks associated with Tenerife's varied and sometimes treacherous landscapes. Further details regarding the exact location of her discovery within the ravine and the contributing factors to her being stranded would be valuable for a comprehensive understanding.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was found in Tenerife?
A 76-year-old British woman named Susan Hornby was found.
Q: How long was she missing?
She was missing for about 30 hours.
Q: Where was she found?
She was found in a ravine in Tenerife.
Q: Is she okay?
She was found alive and taken to the hospital for medical help.