Plants kept lost scientist alive

Smiling now, but Mr Gillatt's wife has promised him a telling off

A British scientist who went missing for five days in a jungle has revealed he survived on plants he found he knew were edible.

John Gillatt, 55, from Bolton, also sustained himself on fruit, three biscuits and water he had with him on the solo hike in Malaysia.

He became lost in jungle near the Fraser's Hill holiday resort in Pahang, Malaysia, where he was staying.

Malaysian police found Mr Gillatt on Wednesday about 10km from his hotel.

He told the Kuala Lumpur-based New Straits Times that, during his five day ordeal he drank water from streams.

Finally, someone answered my shouts with a 'hello' and I knew I was saved John Gillatt

"All I had with me was an apple, an orange, three biscuits and a bottle of water. All that was gone on the first day itself," he said.

While lost in the forest, Mr Gillatt used his mobile phone to call his wife in Bolton. The police were notified and got in touch with him but all efforts to guide him to safety were futile, the paper said.

"I found God. I never prayed before, but I was certainly praying these past five days and my prayers were answered," Mr Gillatt said.

"I was shouting every half hour or so, hoping someone would hear me. Finally, someone answered my shouts with a 'hello' and I knew I was saved," he said.

Mr Gillatt was found unhurt, apart from some scratches, near a river by policemen.

'Tough man'

His wife and two daughters were able to talk to him within an hour of his being found.

"It was fantastic," said his wife Noeleen.

She said her husband was a tough, wily and resourceful man but admitted giving him a "telling off" later.

"And I will again, when he gets home he will get his ears rubbed," she said.

Daughter Claire, 29, added: "We are all very tired. We haven't really slept for five days since we knew he was missing. We are just glad he is safe."