Abu Dhabi Police rescue stranded motorcyclist from desert

An Australian motorcyclist who became stranded in the desert yesterday after his motorbike broke down in the sand dunes of Suweihan has been rescued by the Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing.

Alex V, 37, was starting to become extremely thirsty when he was located one hour into the search, but his general health was fine, according to a statement from Abu Dhabi Police.

His wife, who was waiting for him on the Suweihan-Al Sad road, provided the authorities with coordinates of their whereabouts.

Staff Brig Pilot Ali Mohammed Al Mazrouei, head of the Air Wing department, called on desert trip amateurs to equip their motorbikes or 4x4s with GPS devices to help rescuers locate them in case of emergency.