Terror in the desert

Aug 27 2008 by Charlie Rowney, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

FORMER Advertiser reporter Anna Smith has made it back to Chapelhall in one piece after completing the Mongol Rally – despite being stranded in the desert.

Anna (51), who took part in the tough road trip to raise cash for charity with pal and actor Franco Rey, feared for her life after their car got stuck in the middle of the Gobi Desert.

With very little water, the pair thought they’d never make it out alive – a nightmare which Anna described as “a life-changing experience”.

But after eight hours stranded in the blistering heat, Anna and Franco were saved by two lorry drivers.

The seasoned journalist, who has reported from some of the world’s most dangerous places for the Daily Record, including Rwanda and the Arabian Gulf, was travelling through the desert with former Eldorado star Franco (62) when their M-reg Ford Fiesta became stuck in the sand.

The pair spent many hours trying to dig the car out using only a small spade whilst vultures circled above their heads.

And with only enough water to last that day, Anna says she feared she would die out there.

She explained: “Everywhere you go in Mongolia, you are always 100 miles from anywhere.

“When the car got stuck in the sand, we tried to dig it out and put rocks under the wheel to get it out, even though you’re told if you get lost, pitch your tent and stay in the shade.

“Three or four hours doing this and you become so dehydrated. I knew if we didn’t get out we’d run out of water very quickly.”

Just as Anna and Franco had given up hope of getting the car on the road again, a lorry appeared and the drivers towed their car out.

And, despite speaking no English, the kind-hearted men stayed the night with Anna and Franco, shared their food and made sure they were safely on their way the next day.

“I can’t describe how relieved we were when we saw the dust from their truck,” said Anna.

“They know that if someone gets stuck out there, they’re dead so if they see someone, they stop and help them.

“There were a few tears when we finally made it to the finish line and for days after I arrived back in Chapelhall, I just went out for walks and took in the scenery, the villages and the green hills.You take it all for granted, until you’re put in a situation like that and can’t see a way out.”

To read Anna's account of her desert adventure, click here.