Missing man survived alone for nine days by drinking pond water

12 Aug 2025 • 7:11 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Andrew Barber, 39, survived for nine days in the Canadian wilderness after his pick-up truck broke down.
  • He was reported missing on 31 July in British Columbia's Cariboo region and was found on 8 August.
  • Barber sustained himself by drinking pond water and constructing a makeshift shelter from wood and mud.
  • Rescuers located him after he carved "HELP" into a rock and "SOS" into the mud to signal for assistance.
  • Upon rescue, he was severely dehydrated and had an injured leg, but has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering well.

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