British Marine Who Attempted Amazon Crossing... Shot After Encountering Pirates

Repelled Pirates with Canoe Paddle but Injured
"Lucky... Bullet Grazed Artery"
Ultimately Suspended and Returned to UK

Former British Royal Marines embarked on a journey to cross the Amazon River but encountered pirates and engaged in a fierce fight. They repelled the armed pirates with canoe paddles, but had to retreat after one of them was shot during the battle.

The British media outlet Daily Mail reported on the 15th (local time) the story of former Royal Marines John Bassgate and Ian Robert, who had to withdraw midway through their expedition across the South American continent.

Both former marines aged 35 and 34, respectively, recently challenged a journey crossing South America from Chimborazo volcano, the highest point in Ecuador, to the Atlantic Ocean along the Brazilian coast.

John Bassgate and Ian Roberts, who returned to the UK after being shot. [Image source=Instagram]

This route spans 5,128 km along the Amazon River basin, and John and Ian planned to travel by canoe. If successful, it would have been the first time a human crossed the South American continent via the Amazon River.

However, as the two approached the Colombian border by canoe, they were ambushed by two Peruvian pirates. According to their account, the pirates were armed with guns and heavily intoxicated on rum at the time.

Having trained for eight years in the Royal Marines, the two fought back using canoe paddles. They succeeded in subduing the pirates, but John sustained two gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Although they repelled Peruvian pirates armed with guns, John was injured in the process.
[Image source=Instagram]

After being injured, John conveyed the urgent situation through a camera, saying, "I was just shot." He explained, "The pain was almost nonexistent when I was hit, I was lucky. The bullet passed through my knee, traveled across my entire thigh, and exited through my buttock. It was very fortunate that it missed arteries and bones."

Fortunately, upon receiving their distress call, the Peruvian and Brazilian navies rushed to their aid, and thanks to prompt emergency treatment, John was able to survive. However, the South American expedition had to be temporarily suspended.

According to the Daily Mail, John and Ian hope to attempt the expedition again in the future. John said he was inspired by his father David, who is currently 82 years old.

Their goal is to traverse approximately 5,000 km along the Amazon River, and if successful, it will be recorded as the first-ever successful expedition crossing the South American continent. [Image source=Instagram]

David successfully climbed the Andes Mountains in South America in 1968 and had always hoped to adventure along the Amazon River basin, but unfortunately never had the opportunity.

Meanwhile, John and Ian’s adventure was funded by various civic organizations, including the British Royal Marines charity, and sponsored by an outdoor clothing company.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.