Mary Anne Goossens returns to Nerja for holiday

MARY ANNE GOOSSENS, the Dutch tourist stranded in the Rio Chillar for 18 days this summer, returned to Nerja last weekend for a visit with family and friends.

She stayed at the same hotel and met with part of the team who helped to rescue her to give them her thanks.

Mary Anne a 48-year-old librarian from Stramproy (Limbourg) got stuck was 800 metres above sea level and 20 kilometres from Nerja. She found she was unable to go back down towards the sea, or further up the mountain. She was trapped between two waterfalls which allowed her to drink.

During the day she wet her t-shirt to remain cool and later dried it in the sun. At night, she put grasses within her clothes to keep warm and made herself a bed. She tried to eat grasses and branches, and even thought about eating ants or lizards, but was unable to do so.

At 8pm on Tuesday 5th July, three young hikers heard her whistling and calling for help. They gave her a blanket, a sleeping bag and food, but were unable to phone for help as they had no coverage. The following morning, they alerted the authorities and she was rescued by helicopter.

She lost ten kilos in body weight, but was in good health, and says she will never forget the shocked look of the three men who found her.

She also says she has no bad memories of the experience because she stayed positive.