Who was Magdalena Mucutuy? Her Story to Save Her Kids 40 Days in the Amazon After Plane Crash
Magdalena Mucutuy was a 33-year-old Indigenous leader, wife and mother who sacrificed her life to save her four children after their plane crashed in the Colombian Amazon jungle on May 1, 2023. She was one of the three fatalities in the accident, along with the pilot and another Indigenous leader. Her children, aged 13, nine, four, and one, survived for 40 days in the wilderness, thanks to her guidance and courage.
A tragic flight
Magdalena and her children were traveling from Araracuara, a remote village in the Amazon region, to San José del Guaviare, a city in central Colombia. They were accompanied by Herman Mendoza, an Indigenous leader of the Huitoto community, and Hernando Murcia Morales, the pilot of the Cessna 206 aircraft. The flight was part of a humanitarian mission to deliver food and supplies to isolated Indigenous groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plane took off around 4 a.m. local time, but soon encountered engine problems. The pilot reported the emergency and tried to make an emergency landing, but lost contact with the air traffic control. The plane crashed in a dense forest area near the Caquetá river, about 50 kilometers from Araracuara.
Know About Magdalena Mucutuy ‘A heroic mother’
Magdalena survived the impact, but suffered severe injuries. She was conscious for four days after the crash, and used that time to instruct her children on how to survive in the jungle. She told them to take some fariña (cassava flour) from the wreckage, and to look for fruits and seeds in the forest. She also taught them how to collect water in a soda bottle, and how to hide in tree trunks from snakes and other animals.
According to her husband, Manuel Ranoque, who is the father of two of the youngest children, Magdalena’s last words to her children were: “Maybe you should go. You guys are going to see the kind of man your dad is, and he’s going to show you the same kind of great love that I have shown you.” She then told them to “leave and find help”, and passed away.
Mother of children found alive in Colombia rainforest survived for four days after plane crash before telling them to ‘save yourselves’
— UpdatesPlug 🔌 (@updates_plug) June 12, 2023
Manual Ranoque told Mail Online that his eldest surviving daughter Lesly, 13, told him his wife Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia battled to… pic.twitter.com/70LjqQpjXR
A miraculous survival
The four children followed their mother’s advice and left the crash site. They walked for about five kilometers until they found a clearing in the forest. There they stayed for 40 days, living off fariña, fruits and seeds. They also celebrated their youngest brother’s first birthday during their ordeal.
Meanwhile, a massive search operation was launched by the Colombian authorities and Indigenous organizations. They used helicopters, drones, boats and dogs to comb the area, but faced difficulties due to the thick vegetation and bad weather. Several times they came close to finding the children, but missed them by a few meters.
On June 9, 2023, a breakthrough occurred when a military sniffer dog named Tomy detected a human scent near the clearing where the children were hiding. A group of Indigenous rescuers followed the trail and found the siblings alive and well. They were taken by helicopter to a military hospital in Bogotá, where they received medical attention and reunited with their relatives.
Heartbreaking message from dying mom to kids after jungle plane crash https://t.co/55as04XH8o via @MailOnline
— Truthoverdishonesty (@Nigelj08223326) June 12, 2023
A mother to the very end
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Magdalena Mucutuy Valencia battled to stay alive but in the end told them to save themselves@Michell24423236 @HelenMc67821169 @juniorjuri pic.twitter.com/wZiADh6wSE
A remarkable legacy
Magdalena Mucutuy’s story has touched many hearts around the world. She is remembered as a brave and loving mother who gave her life for her children. She is also honored as an Indigenous leader who fought for the rights and welfare of her community.
Her children are recovering well from their physical and emotional trauma. They are expected to stay in the hospital for at least two weeks before returning to their home village. They have expressed their gratitude to their mother, their rescuers and their supporters.
Their eldest sister, Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, who kept them safe and nourished during their ordeal, said: “We are very happy because we are alive. We want to thank God for giving us this opportunity.”
