In einem ausführlichen englischer Artikel steht dazu folgendes geschrieben:
Zitat:
Authorities say William Martin LaFever's condition may have saved his life, noting that those who are autistic are naturally drawn to water and that he stayed close to the life-giving Escalante River.
Bzgl. der Vorgeschichte wird folgendes aufgeführt:
Zitat:
Bronson said LaFever was trying to reach Page to collect a money wire from his father, John LaFever, of Colorado Springs. The younger LeFever had called his family in early June to report he had run out of money after someone stole his hiking gear while he was on a desert jaunt in the Boulder area with his dog. John LaFever told his son to catch a ride to Page to collect the money.
But William instead decided to hike down the Escalante River and then hitch a boat ride along Lake Powell to Page, officials say. He soon ran out of food, and his dog ran off. He began jettisoning gear until all he had was the clothing and shoes he was wearing when he was found. LaFever's sister reported him missing Monday, the sheriff's department said.
Im Artikel wird wiederholt folgendes behauptet.
Zitat:
Consider these odds: Deputy Ray Gardner, who participated in LaFever's rescue, recently had completed training in search-and-rescue operations for people with autism. That training taught him that those with autism are naturally drawn to water, so the helicopter search focused on the Escalante River.
Was bedeutet der letzte Absatz?
Zitat:
"When they found him, LaFever would not stop talking," Bronson said. "They said it was hard to get him to eat something — they finally got him to eat a granola bar and take a drink. He was alone, he was starved for human contact. I guess the human being has all kinds of needs."