Costa Rica Search For Missing Student
David Gimelfarb, an American from Chicago traveled
to Costa Rica in early August to explore the
volcanic region within the Rincon de Veija National
Park in Guanacaste. He went missing and was last
seen entering the park on August 11, 2009 around
10:00 AM by the park ranger.
The local authorities launched a search enlisting
the help of the Costa Rica Red Cross. The search
efforts were been impeded by rains, dense vegetation
and the sheer expanse of the park. Hopes of finding
David were diminishing with each passing day.
ResQglobal
received a request from retired United States Secret
Service Agent - and Senior Vice President of our
Strategic Partner SOS Security Incorporated, Scott
Alswang at 2300hrs GMT 17th of August 2009, to
request that we advise regarding this missing person
in Costa Rica.
Within 1 hour the
ResQglobal
Team was activated and started to move. The team
flew from London to Miami and on to San Jose in
Costa Rica on the first commercial flight available.
Deployment to Liberia was made by helicopter direct
from San Jose airport to the search site.
ResQglobal
was deployed initially for 3 days, in actuality
remained for 4 at the instruction of TL. The
ResQglobal
deployment consisted of a team of 6 persons. 1 SAR
(search and rescue) TL (team leader) David, 1 SAR
Team member Anthony, 2 Pilots, 1 Helicopter, 2
Paramedics. They worked in conjunction with the
local Red Cross, Police, volunteers, and a team from
the US militarys Task Force Bravo based in
Honduras, who sent 2 helicopters and a specialized
team to assist with the search, commanded by Lt
Colonel Anderson US Army.
Despite the best efforts of the
ResQglobal
team, in the time they had at the search areas,
David Gimelfarb remains to be found. The
ResQglobal
team returned to the UK on August 23rd. As yet, the
search is continuing.
See pictures from the mission below:
Pilots (left and right of Resqglobal TL David) and
Medic (far left), of Task Force Bravo
The crew of ResQ1, our helicopter and support for
the mission, with ResQglobal SAR team member Anthony
Mauritzio (centre between ResQglobal SAR Team
Members David and Anthony). He accompanied
ResQglobal TL David on the night time free climb of
the waterfall and adjoining cliff face
Mauritzio (centre between ResQglobal SAR Team
Members David and Anthony). He accompanied
ResQglobal TL David on the night time free climb of
the waterfall and adjoining cliff face
ResQglobal SAR Team Member Anthony, co ordinating
ResQ1 (our helicopter) with Task Force Bravo Air
Operations
Costa Rica National Police Force join the search
efforts
Establishing communications, Task Force Bravo
personnel supporting the search efforts with vital
satellite and communications equipment, otherwise
unavailable to the agencies on the ground
SFC Bustamante (left) Task Force Bravo, ResQglobal
Team Leader David (centre), and Lt Lt Gutierrez,
Costa Rica Red Cross (right)
Costa Rica Red Cross, Task Force Bravo, ResQglobal,
Park Rangers, National Police Force and Locals from
the community, all working together as one team
ResQglobal Team Leader co ordinating insertion of
Red Cross personnel and supplies to the mountain
area with Task Force Bravo
ResQglobal Team Leader David, Task Force Bravo Lt
Colonel Anderson, discuss search patterns with a
Costa Rica Red Cross Search Team Leader and Park
Ranger
Costa Rica Red Cross Volunteers prepare for another
deployment onto the search area
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