Nando (Fernando) Parrado ( Spanish: Fernando Parrado ) (born December 9, 1949 , Montevideo, Uruguay) is one of 16 passengers of the Uruguay Air Force flight 571 who survived the plane crash on October 13, 1972 in the Andes. Together with his friend Roberto Canessa, he made a 65-kilometer crossing through the Andes and led to the mountains of rescuers to other passengers of flight 571, who survived thanks to this.
| Nando Parrado | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | |
| Place of Birth | |
| A country | |
| Occupation | , , , |
| Father | |
| Site | |
Biography
Born in a middle-class family. In addition to Nando, the parents had two more children, the older sister of Graciela and the younger Susana. He studied at Stella Maris College. From early childhood he loved to play sports, he played especially well in rugby, was the captain of the college rugby team. In 1972, together with a team of junior rugby players, he flew to Chile for an international meeting. However, as a result of a pilot’s mistake, the plane on which the team flew crashed in the Andes. Mother and younger sister, flying with Nando, died in this plane crash. As a result of inhuman efforts in a fierce battle for life, which lasted 72 days, he survived and emerged victorious. Having made together with her friend Roberto Canessa an 11-day crossing through the snowy and frosty Andes without equipment, maps, food and warm clothing, having overcome about 60 km of the hardest mountain path, exhausted, the guys met a Chilean shepherd Sergio Catalana near the mountain river, who told about them to people. So Nando and Roberto escaped themselves and brought the rescuers to the mountains to the other passengers of the 571 flight who survived the crash, who, thanks to their feat, remained to live on.
Shortly after his rescue, Nando Parrado, in collaboration with Pierce Paul Reed, wrote a reconstruction book of his memories of Flight 571, which became a bestseller. Later, after 20 years, he was a consultant to the movie " Living ", set according to the book, where his role was played by actor Ethan Hawke .
Now Nando Parrado is a successful businessman, is fond of racing, is actively involved in sports. Married, he has two daughters - Veronica and Cecilia. He is president of the family-owned company Seler Parrado SA, founded two television and one cable media companies.