Dubai: The Police’s Air Wing rescued an Australian and British tourist stuck in the sand dunes in the Al Faiya area of the emirate on Wednesday.
The helicopter, which was on patrol, spotted the tourists’ four-wheel drive vehicle at 10.30am.
“It was a very hot day and my friend Jane and I were on an adventure trip to the desert,” Daryl, the 50-year-old Australian tourist told Gulf News.
“We came here just three days ago. We were impressed with the beauty of the country and we decided to go to the desert so we rented a car from a tourist company,” he said.
He said their car got stuck in the sand dunes.
“My friend and I struggled for more than two-and-a-half hours to move the car but we failed,” he added.
They were exhausted but in good physical condition although suffering from severe thirst. Major Ahmad Hamad Obaid Al Shehi, head of pilot training, said he and his crew spotted a vehicle stuck in the sand dunes while on patrol.
Al Shehi said that police immediately helped the tourists move the vehicle and they were taken safely to the main road.
“We feel safe here. Police immediately rescued us. Dubai Police did a great job and we appreciate them helping us very fast,” he said.
“I visited Dubai in 2008 and I’m planning to come again because the UAE is the safest country in the world,” he said.
