7 News Belize

The Moment Missing Men Were Reunited With Families
posted (February 1, 2018)

It was our headline last night - and tonight we have the full story of those two NICH rangers who were found alive and well after spending two days lost between Caracol and the Guatemalan border - which is only 3 miles away.  

7News had the only camera on the spot when their families reunited with them for the first time.  Jules Vasquez has the story:…

This is the moment at 5:20 when Elroy Villanueva Alvarado’s family first saw him at the junction of the Caracol and San Antonio Road.

“Weh pah unu mi deh” - That’s what any family member would ask after their loved one went missing in the deep, dangerous bush for 48 hours.  There were hugs and happy embraces for this 21 year old - who looked to be in very good health - with a beaming smile to spare.

Chilling In the back-seat - was his senior colleague, a slightly more reserved 43 year old Luis Ramirez.

Alvarado’s excited family trundled into their van while the NICH pickup sped off - to take them to the San Ignacio Hospital. 

Dr. John Morris - Director, Institute of Archaeology
"Its protocol to bring them to the hospital and to make and especially given the fact that Luis is a diabetic. So we want to make sure that both guys are okay."

They reached the hospital at 6:00 - where both men looked strong - if a little the worse for wear.

Elroy Alvarado may have lost a few pounds from not eating for two days.

His mom couldn’t help herself and got in another hug

Dr. John Morris
"When the guys went missing on Monday evening they had gone out to find to chime or packay which is like a celery and they usually use that for their meals in the evening. It began raining and they took a wrong trail. It was raining really hard and they ended up halfway to Guatemala and had to spend the night out in the bush there. In my discussions with them they spent 2 nights out in the forest but Luis Ramirez which is the park manager there he's more... he knows the bush a little bit. So they were able to do a camp fire but it had been raining really heavy and foggy and very difficult. No sun out, their phones were dead so they were not able to at least figure out where north south east or west is and it was very difficult for them. We would like to thank the special forces. I believe that kudos has to be given to the BDF and the Belize Special Unit because they really exerted and they really combed that forest to find these guys."

NICH employees and family waited outside and could not conceal their joy, their relief:

Andrew Chacon - Elroy’s Uncle
"The family is pretty excited we’re happy, we thank god for answering our prayers, we prayed a lot about the situation. We believe in god and we know that Elroy would have returned safely home to us."

Sherry Herbert - Elroy’s Mother
"First time I find myself praying so much and he answered my prayers and I want to give thanks to each and every one that supported me and prayed for my family. That's all I have to say, I'm so happy that is alive and well.”

By 6:20 - both men came out of the Emergency Room - with a clean bill of health”

Elroy Villanueva-Alvarado - NICH Park Ranger
"Well I’m feeling good, just get lost in the jungle, miss my direction where I came in from and rain was coming so I was trying to hurry come out and I just lost in the jungle. Just have to do a little bit of exercise like building thatch and use your brain."

Reporter
"Okay so you guys had to sleep under a thatch?"

Elroy Villanueva-Alvarado
"Yes what we build and the first the thatch didn't work the rain come straight through it."

Reporter
"So you didn't sleep the first night?"

Elroy Villanueva-Alvarado
"Didn't sleep. The second night I was sleeping but you still have to the worry about animals or Guatemalans that are coming into the area."

Reporter
"And so how was it, the experience? Were you scared?"

Elroy Villanueva-Alvarado
"Its was a terrible experience yes."

Reporter
"Was there fear that you would have not been found?"

Elroy Villanueva-Alvarado
"Yes. The only thing I thank god that how god was by my side and never let me down."

Luis Ramirez - Park Manager CARACOL
"Thanks to the BDF and police that help to find us today."

Reporter
"So you guys just kind of got lost?"

Luis Ramirez
"Yes."

Reporter
"So you survived off of the land?"

Luis Ramirez
"Yes we survived. The first day was really tough because it was raining and on the second day was very cold. So we just manage to..."

Reporter
"I know you're diabetic, was that difficult?"

Luis Ramirez
"Well actually not really because the doctor just said that I am okay and everything is okay with me."

Ramirez’s family greeted him with hugs and sobs - holding unto him - it seemed for dear life.

It is an ordeal - 48 hours of existential anxiety - that only these families can know the depths of. 
Both men are back with their families tonight, and safe at home.  

They were found one and a half miles northwest of Chiquibul, and two and a half miles east of the Guatemalan border.

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