Man Lost In Andes For Four Months Found Alive After Eating RATS To Survive

He set out in May to cross the mountains from Chile to Argentina on foot after his motorcycle broke down but lost his way in a snowstorm.

A father  lost in the freezing Andes for four months has been found alive – after surviving on a diet of rats and raisins.

Stunned rescuers discovered Raul Fernando Gomez Circunegui, 58, emaciated and weak on the floor of a shelter at 9,318ft.

He had lost three stone but at a tearful reunion yesterday his daughter said: “He’ll be OK. It’s a miracle”.

Raul set off in May to cross the treacherous mountains from Chile to Argentina on his 200cc motorbike.

It broke down and the Uruguayan kept going on foot but got lost during a heavy snowstorm as temperatures plunged to -20C.

His wife Mariela alerted police but a search had to be called off as the treacherous weather closed all trails across the mountain range.

The dad-of-three was found by officials from Argentina’s San Juan province who had been sent to record snow levels.

He dragged himself to the shelter’s door to alert them and a helicopter lifted him off the mountain.

The civil servant, who has high blood pressure and a history of smoking, told rescuers he ate sugar, raisins and rats he trapped as well as supplies left over in the shelter.