Pilot recounts eight days lost in bush
NAIROBI (Reuters) - A Kenyan pilot who survived more than a week eating leaves and drinking his urine after crashing in dense forest says he will continue flying, despite cheating death in his second accident in two years.
Capt. Solomon Nyanjui was feared dead after his helicopter went missing during a November 15 flight from Isiolo town to the capital Nairobi. But heavy vegetation had cut his speed as he lost power and crashed near snow-capped Mount Kenya.
"I realized even leaves are sweet because I fed on them for a while in the jungle," an elated Nyanjui told reporters from his hospital bed, his wife at his side.
His comments were carried by Kenyan media Tuesday.
As a huge search was launched, the veteran Kenya Wildlife Service pilot endured an eight-day ordeal, sheltering from torrential rain in the wreckage.
"I could see the choppers flying above me but I am sure they could not see me or the plane due to the thick canopy," he said.
One night, a herd of elephants began rocking the damaged aircraft -- as he nursed several broken ribs inside.
After two days' searching, he found the dislodged battery for his mobile phone and was able to send an SMS text message to a friend, which rescuers used to trace his rough location.
But after seven days waiting to be found, Nyanjui crawled until he reached a small stream. After drinking, he collapsed on the bank where he was discovered a day later by local farmers.
It was a second brush with death for the pilot, who safely crash-landed another helicopter carrying business executives in Kenya's Aberdares Mountains in 2005. But he said it would not deter him from returning to the skies.
"When the doctor says I am free to go home, I will go back to my work," said Nyanjui, who has been a pilot for 27 years.
"I cannot give up flying because of accidents."
