WA: Bogucki s condition remarkable, medical staff

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-1999
WA: Bogucki s condition remarkable, medical staff

By Paul Ruffini

BROOME, Aug 23 AAP - Robert Bogucki wanted only one food after his miracle rescue from the
Western Australian desert - ice cream.

According to medical staff at Broome Hospital, the 33-year-old Alaskan fireman's physical
condition is remarkable, despite having lost 27 kilograms during his four weeks in the desert.

Kimberley Health Service general manger Ern Hulbert said they would have expected to see
severe sunburn, blistering and some effects of exposure.

But the only injuries were some scratches on his feet and back and weight loss.

"For a person that's been out in the field as long as he has he's remarkably good," Mr
Hulbert said.

"The dramatic effect on his health has been his dramatic weight loss; he was, according to
his recollection, 86 kilos when he started out on his adventure.

"He's now down to 59 kilograms, but for all of that, and all that dramatic weight loss,
he's still nonetheless in remarkable good health".

Mr Hulbert said Mr Bogucki would remain in hospital for the next 36 to 48 hours, and would
be fed ice cream and watermelon to rehydrate him and help him with weight gain.

"We're finding lots of ice cream," he said.

"He indicated that that was a thought that had crossed his mind when he was out there, he
wanted ice cream".

Mr Hulbert said that Mr Bogucki was well orientated, and he was impressed with his
sincerity.

He said Mr Bogucki was very fit and appeared to be a good bushman.

"He was supplementing whatever food he had with him with native plant life," he said.

"To the extent he was living off that wasn't clear, he did indicate he was eating small
flowers, berries ... he's fully oriented, alert. There's no evidence of confusion."

Mr Hulbert said he was surprised at some speculation that Mr Bogucki's disappearance had
been a hoax, and described him as sincere and genuine.

"If it was a hoax, and subsequently proved to be one, then he is remarkably well trained
and skilled.

"I am impressed by the man's simplicity and obvious sincerity".

AAP pr/bm

KEYWORD: CYCLIST BOGUCKI

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