A rugby coach and his wife have been rescued after spending six days stranded in the mountains without food.
Davide Cesaroni and Chiara Pesaresi had been missing in north-eastern Italy’s Friulian Dolomites since Thursday (2 July).
They were found shortly after 5:30am yesterday (7 July) in one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the mountains, between Cimolais and Domegge di Cadore.
READ MORE: Pop star trips and whacks head on stage during sold-out concert
Mountain rescue teams searching woodland at an altitude of around 1,700m (5,580ft) spotted the couple standing beside the ruins of an old mountain hut on a small ledge.
Exhausted but unharmed, they were airlifted to Rifugio Pordenone, where their trek had begun.
Hours after setting off on an 11-hour circular hike last Thursday, the couple accidentally took a disused trail featuring exposed sections, unstable scree slopes and areas damaged by landslides.
At one point, the badly damaged route left them with no way forward, but they were also unable to safely retrace their steps.
With no mobile phone signal in the area, they were effectively trapped.
They decided to stay near the ruins of the mountain hut and wait for rescuers – a decision that most likely saved their lives.
A small stream nearby provided the water they needed to survive, while Chiara’s extensive knowledge of wild plants enabled them to eat edible vegetation.
Davide’s mother reported the pair missing on Monday (6 July) after she was unable to reach them by phone.
The search began that day, and their car was quickly found at Rifugio Pordenone, as reported by Need To Know.
Davide, 41, works as a pharmaceutical courier, while Chiara, 38, is a civil engineer and architect.
Davide also coaches the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 girls’ teams at Unione Rugbistica Anconitana.
The couple, from Osimo, are experienced trekkers, and their Dolomites trip was intended to last two days.
After being rescued, they told local media: “We built ourselves a small shelter under a tree.”
They added: “We believed in ourselves and in the people who were looking for us… We’re exhausted now, but incredibly relieved.”
They were taken to hospital in Maniago and are now recovering well.
READ MORE: Eleven injured as floor caves in at girl’s birthday party
