British holidaymaker Jensen Sturgeon got into trouble while digging a whole on Copacabana Beach, in Rio de Janeiro, when he hit quicksand and needed to be rescued
A British tourist was dramatically rescued from an eight feet hole after being caught in quicksand and says he “thought he was going to die”.
Jensen Sturgeon spent over three hours trapped in the hole that he had dug himself and then needed other beachgoers to help drag him out. It happened on Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana Beach in Brazil, on April 22. He was having fun with a waist deep hole he created but then suddenly the sand caved in – he had found himself in quicksand after digging so far down and reaching water.
And then he was in the terrifying situation where he became trapped in the sand and felt his legs starting to sink. Images show the extent of the problem as he was eight feet down with sand around him.
Fortunately there were many others on the beach who could see Jensen was in trouble. In a video circulating on social media, more than 30 people, including beachgoers, vendors, and lifeguards, began trying to rescue him.
Some were digging around him, while others handed over bits of wood and rope in an attempt to pull the man out, but nothing seemed to work. According to witnesses, the rescue took over three hours. During that time, Jansen became the centre of attention on the beach, and was even given a beer to stay hydrated.
He was eventually pulled out by rescuers as onlookers applauded. In another video filmed at the airport before he flew home, 22-year-old airport worker Jensen said: “I’m Jensen from England and I’m the guy who got stuck in that hole.
“I was digging an eight foot hole and, eh, basically what was going through my head [was], I thought I was going to die. But luckily I had good people to save me. Obrigado to the people of Rio that helped me out.”
Meanwhile a thrill seeker has told how to get out of quicksand and it is not actually that difficult. Colt, who is known for his stunts and has more than 4million followers on YouTube.
“It’s not the quicksand people need to be worried about it’s actually the tide,” he said. “Some people have gotten stuck and when the tide comes back in, it rises above their head and eventually they drown.”
He urged Brits trapped in quicksand to try and lie on their back and create ‘as much surface area as possible’. “I just stay like this,” he explained, leaning backwards and keeping his arms wide open above the sand.