Lives Less Ordinary Sole survivor: Eight days in the jungle after my plane crashed
Sep 1, 2025
In this gripping conversation, Annette Herfkens, a Dutch financier and the sole survivor of Vietnam Airlines Flight 474, shares her incredible story of survival after a plane crash in the jungle. She recounts the chaos of the crash and the harrowing eight days spent battling injuries, dehydration, and loneliness in the wilderness. Annette reflects on her love for her fiancé, the emotional challenges of grief, and the instinctual strategies she employed to stay alive. Her resilience shines through as she learns to appreciate the beauty around her amidst the struggle.
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Crash And Immediate Aftermath
- Annette was on a tiny Soviet Yak-40 and overruled her claustrophobia for a romantic trip with her fiancé.
- A giant drop near the end of the flight threw her into darkness and she woke up in jungle chaos with severe injuries.
Alone Among The Dead
- Annette crawled from the wreckage, found corpses around her, and discovered her fiancé dead with a peaceful smile.
- She received trousers from a dying passenger and became alone on the mountain by the end of day one.
Use Breath To Anchor Yourself
- Focus on breathing and stay in the present to manage panic and severe injury.
- Observe and accept reality instead of imagining future fearful scenarios to maintain clarity and endurance.