Abu Dhabi Police air wing rescue couple stranded in desert

Abu Dhabi Police’s Air Wing Section were called in to rescue at couple who got stuck in the desert in the Western Region.

The police said the European pair, who are in their 50s, had gone for a safari trip in the desert and were being driven in a 4x4 vehicle.

But they called 999 for help after the car got stuck in the sand and they were unable to free it after hours of trying.

Major Pilot Mohammad Hammad, the air rescue commander who went to the aid of the tourists, said the rescue team was dispatched immediately to search for the stranded couple.

“They said they were lost and stuck in the sand," he said. "They didn’t know exactly where they were but described their location to the rescue team, who were able to air lift them after a search in the desert."

The officer said the tourists, who had left on their day out from the Emirates Palace Hotel, were found in good condition but were taken to Madinat Zayed Hospital for medical check-up.

The police said their vehicle was half-covered by sand.