“We may have a problem.” Those words came from Richard Laver while they stood inside l’Avenc de na Coloms, a remote, almost hidden natural area on Ibiza’s north coast in Sant Antoni. The narrator of these events is Ryan Hattaway, an American filmmaker. He and Laver had reportedly sought out this rugged landscape to capture footage for a documentary, hoping to showcase the island’s beauty in striking frames. Their account is told after contacting Diario de Ibiza to share what happened, soon after being rescued twice by Ibiza firefighters.
Hattaway, who travelled to Ibiza just days earlier, described the expedition as part of their attempt to document a life lived on the edge. Laver, accompanied by his wife and daughter, was already on the island when they conceived the project. The plan was to film a simple dramatic arc: a rugged hike through landscapes that reveal the island’s character, a testament to nature’s allure in Ibiza.
a simple route
During their stay, the pair sought leisure and sport. Hattaway explains that both men were in good shape, active, and committed to routines like yoga and personal training. They decided to hire a guide to help them navigate local terrain and pursue hikes through the pitiusas, a name locals use for this part of the island.
As the tale unfolds, two Americans share the same moment and the truth of an unexpected event begins to surface. On the guide’s suggestion, Hattaway and Laver, aged 42 and 50 respectively, set off toward l’Avenc de na Coloms, with Laver’s wife and her 26-year-old daughter accompanying them. The cave, also called Cueva de la Luz, is among the island’s most challenging destinations, a place where growing popularity on social media has drawn many curious hikers. The timing is August, and the heat is intense, pushing everyone toward their limits.
Saturday, August 19, around 11:30 a.m., a heat wave pushed the temperature beyond forty degrees. The route was physically demanding, and both the guide and the hikers began to feel the strain. Laver’s wife and daughter chose to turn back, unable to continue. Hattaway recalls checking their initial assessment and realizing that the route looked straightforward online but proved much tougher once underway, with the landscape offering glints of light over the sea and the jagged rock formations.
red flags
The group peered down from a height of roughly twenty meters, looking into the cave’s mouth and the floor far below. The guide urged Laver to dive, which the Americans perceived as a dangerous suggestion—one of several red flags they would later note. Another warning was that the guide carried only a small bottle of water for himself. When asked about the climb out, he claimed it would be easy and mentioned two exit options: climbing a seven-meter rope or attempting a quick freedive. Laver hesitated, then watched the guide attempt a rescue that left him stranded; Hattaway stayed above, ready to assist, uncertain about their chances.
Minutes stretched into an hour as pressure mounted. The guide finally reached the surface and tried to throw water and shoes to the stranded hiker. The attempt failed, and items sank to the sea floor. Desperation grew; the guide asked for help and the two hikers faced a thirst with no immediate rescue in sight. By mid-afternoon, dehydration was a real threat as they waited in the cave-like environment.
Before leaving, the guide boasted of a helicopter full of cold water, a claim that offered a glimmer of hope for the stranded duo, who pressed on until aid finally arrived.
first recovery
The Consell Firefighters’ Vertical Rescue Group played a crucial role, guiding the rescue as the hikers were brought to safety by descending with a rope system through one of the island’s most daunting rescue spots. The operation lasted several hours. As the team worked, the couple’s situation became clearer: the guide had disappeared, and the wife and daughter showed concern as they waited for news and provided water when possible.
In the moment, the group realized they had strayed from the correct path and were lost. The terrain was confusing and hot, and the trio found themselves trapped near a cliff. The hikers endured dehydration and extreme heat for hours before help arrived and the rescue began in earnest.
dead end abyss
With dwindling energy, the climbers faced a bleak choice: drink nothing or attempt a dangerous descent toward the sea. They chose to cling to the cliff’s edge, hoping someone would notice their situation before darkness closed in. They searched for any sign of life and found a small amount of water and a bit of shade from nearby cacti,
and then the uncertainty grew. The pair communicated in a mix of English and Spanish, trying to keep hope alive as their phones showed dwindling battery. They prayed for rescue, aware that time was running out as night approached.
From the cliff, people on the beach noticed a faint beacon that suggested someone on shore might see them. A boat’s approach offered a ray of hope, and eventually, emergency services were alerted. For six hours they remained exposed, signaling for help until a helicopter finally reached them and delivered the chance to live another day. The gratitude was immense, with both travelers recognizing the bravery and skill of the emergency responders who helped them survive.
With renewed perspective, the hope was to locate the guide and acknowledge his efforts, hoping to offer thanks once the situation was secure. The group emphasized a desire to ensure the guide’s well-being and to resolve any lingering concerns about the experience.
second recovery
When the emergency call went out, firefighters returned to the scene with a light vehicle and eight responders. The initial assessment found no sign of the missing hikers, prompting the Dog Rescue Unit and the Special Drone Group to join the search. After hours of combing the area, the team finally located the two travelers. Around dawn, they were brought to safety.
The first aid included giving them water in small, measured amounts. One of the rescuers warned them before the vertical ascent that this would be immensely challenging, but that they could do it. The second rescue concluded in the early hours, freeing the travelers from danger and ending the ordeal.
Both travelers credited the responders as the true heroes of the story, acknowledging how close they came to disaster. The pair described losing significant weight, and their gratitude for the rescue was profound. The guide’s reaction came later, with a message of relief and a wish for a peaceful, trouble-free continuation of their vacation.
The guide eventually replied, expressing relief at their safe return and offering well wishes for the rest of the trip. The message conveyed a sense of accountability and care for the travelers’ welfare, underscoring the seriousness with which the incident was treated by all involved.