A pair of former British Royal Marine commandos on a heroic expedition down the Amazon River somehow managed to defeat gun-wielding pirates with nothing more than their paddles – despite one of them being shot into the scrap metal.
John Bathgate and Ian Roberts attempted a world first – to navigate 5,186 miles of the Amazon River from its highest point, Volcán Chimborazo in Ecuador, across the South American continent to the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Brazil.
But their incredible ‘Summit to Sea’ adventure took a turn when, as they approached the Colombian border in their rowboat, the former commandos were ambushed and held at gunpoint by two Peruvian pirates.
Faced to the barrel of a gun and armed only with their oars, Bathgate and Roberts sprang into action, launching a desperate and fierce assault on their would-be captors.
Bathgate suffered two gunshot wounds during the battle, but despite being completely outmaneuvered, the brave British overpowered the bandits, knocking out their craft and making a stunning escape to safety.
Ian Roberts (L) and John Bathgate (R) attempted a world first: navigating 3,186 miles of the Amazon River from its highest point, Volcán Chimborazo in Ecuador, across the South American continent to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil
Bathgate suffered two gunshot wounds during the battle, but despite being completely outmaneuvered, the brave British overpowered the bandits
One of the pistols wielded by the pirates is seen after the scuffle
Bathgate and Roberts shared an update on their progress on social media, explaining how the terrifying ordeal unfolded.
“Unfortunately, we had to postpone the Amazon Summit to Sea. Last week, in a remote part of the river, close to the Colombian border, we were attacked by two pirates.
“In a battle where we used paddles against pistols, we fought them off, disarmed them, knocked out their craft, and then managed to get ourselves and our equipment to safety.
“Unfortunately, John suffered two gunshot wounds, but thanks to Ian’s care and our bootneck attitude, he was comfortable and stable by the time the cavalry arrived…
“The Peruvian and Brazilian Navy and Marines arrived with an Armada of support and got us back to Iquitos with incredible care and professionalism. Thanks to the quick action of friends in Iquitos, family in the UK and Garmin emergency services, we received the best care and the ordeal did not develop into a life-threatening situation.”
Despite the attempt on their lives, Bathgate and Roberts are steadfast in their desire to return within a year to complete the daring expedition.
We are now on our way back to England. However, we plan to return within 12 months and finish what we started,” they continued.
“This little hiccup certainly won’t stop us from finishing it, and the actions of two individuals don’t define Peru, a country whose people we’ve come to love.”
“We are both doing well and will be in the UK on Wednesday to plan our return and get it done.”
John Bathgate was inspired by his adventurer father to travel the entire Amazon River
Bathgate and Roberts (2, 3-L) are shown next to a member of the British consulate in Peru and a Peruvian naval commander
The Summit to Sea is one of the most exciting – and toughest – adventures ever undertaken.
Bathgate explained how the idea of traveling some 3,000 miles along the entire Amazon was inspired by his father David, an accomplished adventurer in his own right.
“In 1968, my father David Bathgate was on an expedition to climb the southwest face of Huandoy, a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca region of the Peruvian Andes,” Bathgate wrote.
“Upon completion, instead of traveling by plane, they chose to travel back to the east coast of South America via an all-natural highway, the Amazon River. It was during this winding adventure that he, as a climber, thought that he would like to follow this breathtaking journey all the way from its highest source – Volcán Chimborazo.
“My father never got around to planning this expedition because of many other exciting commitments, most notably an attempt to be the first to climb Everest’s southwest slope in 1972.
‘But in his 80th year, coinciding with my last year as a Royal Marine Commando, he passed the idea on to me. He has planted and grown a seed in the form of old maps, dusty books, scribbled expedition diaries of mysterious stories.
‘This seed has grown into a giant Dinizea excelsa, casting a shadow over all other thoughts in my head. There is so much to discover on this journey, I am compelled to finish what my father started.”