Daniel Fernández Strauch, 1972 Anden Crash Survivor, dies at 79

Daniel Fernández, one of the 16 survivors of the tragic plane crash in 1972, died in Montevideo at the age of 79 on May 8.

On October 13, 1972, the Fairchild FH-227D aircraft, which broke off a delegation from the old Christian rugby club in Santiago, Chile, in the Andes Mountains. The accident, which became known as the “miracle of the Andes”, initiated one of the most remarkable survival stories of the 20th century. The survivors had 72 shocking days in the snow -covered mountains before they were saved between 22 and 23, 1972.

At the time of the crash, Fernández was a 26-year-old Uruguayan agricultural engineer. He had founded the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 together with his cousins Eduardo and Adolfo “Fito” Strauch and other members of the Rugby team of the old Christians on board.

The effects of the crash immediately killed 13 of the 40 occupants. Other passengers succumbed to injuries, extreme cold and an avalanche that took place on October 29. Despite these difficulties, 16 people were able to survive, including Fernández, who had a leadership role during the ordeal and took on central tasks regarding food to maintain the group.

“He was a bulwark in the mountains,” said Zerbino, according to La Nación. “A big friend, always positive. Since he was one of the oldest, he brought peace and calm.” Zerbino added: “It is a situation of great sadness because a brother of the mountain died, and joy, because in the end he suffered; he leaves a wonderful family, two sons, a daughter, grandchildren and a woman who has accompanied him all his life,”, as reported by La Nación.

Fernández is the fourth survivor of the Andde accident, who died after the death of Javier Methol in 2015, Álvaro Mangino on March 29, 2023 and José Luis “Coche” inciart at the beginning of this year. “We will miss him; now he will reunite the 29 on the mountain and the three, which went in front of us in time,” said Zerbino El País. “The mountain took some, and now we gradually die. But while there is life, we have to continue to enjoy and share the heritage of the mountain.”

“Daniel Fernández Strauch. Wisdom and kindness,” wrote the writer and friend Pablo Vierci loudly Perfil. He shared a picture of Fernández from a film in which he had a Cameo appearance. Vierci also revealed that Fernández was sick for a long time, as reported by Heraldo de México.

According to La Nación, the Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona, who staged the upcoming film “La Sociedad de la Nieve” (“Society of the Snow”) on the tragedy of the Andes, has staged an emotional message about Fernández. “Daniel went, but not before the fight as he did all his life and gave an example,” said Bayona. “Listen to him gave you energy. He was a man with a few words; he did not speak unless Bayona closed:” It was an honor to meet him, spend time with him. Infinite thanks for everything. A huge hug to his family, especially for his wife Amalia, and his cousins Fito and Eduardo as well as to all of his friends and companions in the mountain. Retirement in peace, friend, as reported by La Nación.

Fernández was born on February 12, 1946 in Montevideo and dedicated his professional life of agronomy. His heir goes beyond his history of survival; He leaves a loving family, including his wife Amalia, two sons, a daughter and grandchildren.

The article was written with the support of a news analysis system.

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