A man who survived a harrowing ordeal that inspired a book and a film presented a message of optimism and bravery last night.
Uruguayan Alvaro Mangino spoke to Ohio University students and Athens residents in the Baker University Center Ballroom, stressing the importance of faith in the face of adversity.
After an eight-minute film, Mangino shared his story, upon which the book Alive, by Piers Paul Read, and a movie of the same name are based. Mangino spoke in Spanish, translated by OU graduate students Mark Gibson and Jason Busic.
In October 1972, the plane carrying 45 rugby players, most of whom were between 19 and 25 years old, crashed in the Andes Mountains. Mangino suffered a broken leg, and 17 of his companions died upon impact.
After the first fearful days, survivors organized themselves, Mangino said. The group constructed a house out of materials from the plane and hooked up a radio to listen to news from Uruguay. Mangino collected snow in wine bottles to melt it in the sun for drinking water.
Hunger hurts
but thirst hurts more he said.
Lacking food and facing starvation, the group turned to the corpses for nourishment, a decision difficult to carry out, Mangino said. But faith, courage and unity emerged among the survivors, who maintained hope in spite of the waning possibility of rescue.
After 72 days stranded on the mountain, one of a three-man expedition sent from the wreckage reached a town, from where helicopters were dispatched to rescue the 16 who still were alive. Mangino recounted the reunion with his friends, family and girlfriend at an airport on Christmas Eve.
It's a wonderful story of survival Athens resident Connie DeBerardinis said. Very fascinating.
The event, funded by the Latin American Studies Department, International Student Union and Student Activities Commission and organized by the Latin American Students Association, or SADA, cost $2,100, said Claritza Hurdle, OU graduate student and SADA treasurer.
The main purpose of the event is to show that everyone has an adversary or trial to overcome, said Ximena Gonzalez, OU graduate student and SADA president.
His life experience has a lot to do with hope
faith and courage
she said.
Mangino said he has returned to the site of the crash five times and is planning a sixth trip in March, demonstrating a strong attitude that inspired many audience members.
They're not victims of this
Busic said. They've overcome it.
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