A new three-part documentary about the Andes Plane Crash of 1972, will air at 10pm over three evenings on Channel 5, from Tuesday 9th January.
Adrian Padmore, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5:
“This is an incredible series retelling a truly remarkable story of human sacrifice and the determination to stay alive. Our survivors story is emotional, terrifying and life affirming all in the same instance, tapping into the most significant decision of morality anyone could ever face.”
The series, produced by ITN, charts the ultimate story of human survival against all the odds, as told by those who lived to tell the tale. When a Uruguayan rugby team’s plane crashed in the Andes Mountains in October 1972, they were stranded in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments with little hope of rescue. Of the 45 people who boarded the plane, only 16 made it out alive.
The survivors faced a dilemma too shocking for many to comprehend – die a slow, excruciating death or eat the bodies of their dead friends. Their story would amaze the world. Told through the vivid and powerful testimony of survivors – Nando Parrado, Roy Harley, Coche Inciarte, Eduardo Strauch, Fito Strauch – this documentary series tells the definitive story of their heroism, during what became known as the “Miracle of the Andes.”
Oliver Price, producer and director at ITN:
“This is one of the greatest survival stories there has ever been so it’s no surprise that there have been feature films made about it. However, hearing the real survivors talk about their experience gives an incredible unique insight into what they went through. They had to make the most astonishing decision in order to survive, but when speaking to them you learn that there is so much more to the story.
“We wanted this to be the most complete documentary series ever made on this topic so we also spoke to family members of those onboard the plane who had to wait for news of their loved ones. This is a less well known part of it all, but is also remarkable in its own way.”
Andes Plane Crash airs at 10pm on Channel 5 from Tuesday 9th January and on My5
