【明報專訊】An experienced British explorer who had been stranded for two days in a remote area in northern Australia got himself rescued by writing his SOS on the sand.

Geoff Keys, 63, lost his way trying to find an isolated waterfall in the Jardine River National Park (賈丁河國家公園) in Queensland (昆士蘭省). It was getting dark,and he had no food or water with him. He had no shoes. He was only wearing a pair of shorts, a T-shirt and a hat.

By midday the following day he had become desperate. He stopped on a sandbank and scrawled "HELP 2807" in large letters in the sand - referring to the day (July 28) he got lost. He also drew an arrow pointing to where he was. A few hours later, a pilot noticed Geoff after he had decided to go outside the original search zone "to scout a little further".

"I feel stupid but lucky," said Geoff. "I'm sorry for worrying my friends and family. Please believe me, I won't be doing it again."

Geoff was not going to give up his around-the-world motorbike journey despite the horrific experience. He said he would soon be back on the road with plans to go to Asia, the Middle East, Africa and America.

(source: Ming Pao, Daily Mail, The Telegraph)

■Photo story

The "HELP 2807" message Geoff Keys wrote on the sand probably saved his life.

■Quiz

Choose the correct answers. (answers on last text)

1. Where did Geoff get lost?

a. England

b. Australia

c. the Middle East

2. Which of the following is similar in meaning to "desperate" in third paragraph?

a. hopeful

b. regretful

c. hopeless

3. Which of the following correctly describe(s) Geoff's condition when he got lost?

(1) without food or water

(2) wearing a sweater

(3) barefoot

a. (1) only

b. (2) and (3)

c. (1) and (3)

4. What did Geoff plan to do?

a. He would continue to travel around the world.

b. He would no longer go travelling.

c. Not mentioned in the article.

■Words

explorer 探險家

remote 偏遠的

sandbank 沙丘

■Glossary

stranded (adj) 滯留的

rescue (v) 營救

scout (v) 搜尋

horrific (adj) 令人恐懼的