Steeve Poirier, a 47-year-old cyclist from Quebec, has been found safe after going missing for two days in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Poirier, who set out on a 160-km ride on Saturday morning from Playa del Carmen, did not return as planned, prompting widespread concern among family and friends.
His uncle, André Poirier, told CTV News he was overwhelmed with relief upon hearing his nephew had been located. “I yahoo’d pretty loud,” he said. “They found him! We’re all happy. His two sisters are very happy. His mother—she almost didn’t sleep since Saturday.”
Bike problems led to a shortcut
He had been vacationing and set off for the ride without providing a detailed route. Although it had been established that he stopped at convenience store during his journey, his exact whereabouts were unclear.
Steeve Poirier’s bike broke down during the ride, and locals advised him to take a shortcut through a forest. After walking a considerable distance and spending a night in the woods, he was found Monday afternoon with the help of volunteers and social media appeals.
André Poirier explained to Radio-Canada that his nephew managed to reach a village on Sunday, where a woman gave him directions to Playa del Carmen through a forested path. The same woman later guided searchers to where he had last been seen.
The family faced difficulties in tracking Poirier due to a lack of signal on his Garmin GPS and phone. Despite difficulties with authorization to track him due to privacy issues, they said to Radio-Canada they were told touched by the solidarity shown by strangers who offered assistance online. As André Poirier noted, “There are downsides to social media, but it can also surprise you in a good way.”
Still, the ordeal has left the cyclist a bit shook up. According to Journal de Québec, his friend Patrick said that he is not in a state to speak. He got lost for 48 hours deep in the jungle. No one goes there. It’s a Tarzan story.”
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