Backpacker saved by tribesmen

BBC News 20.04.2002

British backpacker travelling in Africa says she was saved from an attack by armed bandits by local tribesmen.
Klare England, 26, was asleep in her tent in Isalo National Park in Madagascar when a bandit ripped it open, put a gun to her head and demanded money.

Ms England, from Nottingham, told the Daily Telegraph she and a group of British, French and Canadian friends were surrounded by the bandits and shots were fired.

Then several members of the Bara tribe burst into the camp, brandishing their spears.

After a confrontation, the bandits fled.

"It was absolutely terrifying," she told the newspaper.

"Many in the group were screaming and crying when the men fired their guns. It was like the Wild West.

"We saw this group of men charging across a field toward us, screaming and shouting and the attackers ran.

"We were so relieved. We thought our time had come."

Grateful

The tribesmen, who live in huts, had been alerted by the sound of gunfire.

They kept a watch on the group of tourists for the rest of the night and at first light one of them ran several hours to the nearest town, Ranohira, to fetch the police.

Ms England said: "We were so grateful to the tribesmen. I don't know what would've happened if they hadn't showed up.

"I bet if you were attacked in Nottingham, no one would help you like they did."

Ms England, a contemporary arts student at Nottingham Trent University, had travelled to Madagascar four weeks before the attack to photograph a solar eclipse.

The country has suffered political violence recently and is deeply divided with rival governments, two capitals and splits in the armed forces.