A father, son and nephew from the community of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara who went missing in the Omai Backdam on Valentine’s Day have wandered their way back to safety and were rescued on Thursday by police in the area.

The men travelled to the location to work but were last seen on February 14.

Details of the identity of the men have not been made available. The three reportedly spent the last four days and nights in the jungle with no phone contact.

They eventually reached a point where they picked up signal and contacted family members.

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes confirmed that the police have found the men. She could not say exactly where the men were found but said it was in Omai. “As to the exact location and the block number I would not know that until we have a talk with them.”

“I am happy to know that we could have been of assistance and in fact late last night I could not rest. I called the wife about 11 last night and I spoke with her this morning because I understand her pain and I am really concerned,” she said.

The Minister said the men are expected to be back with their family later today and she intends to meet and talk with them.

Minister Broomes, who is a former miner herself, explained that “because of the terrain in the jungle, one can easily find themselves astray. All the trees look alike and the forest is deep in the area where they were but what I think was smart of them is staying together and finding themselves back to a point,” she added.

Broomes thanked the police for their quick response to the call for help.