LONDON, UK (7 July 2004) -- THE gap-year student who was shot by pirates in Tanzania has arrived home – and plans to wear the bullet in memory of her ordeal. Grace Forster (18), of Eastrea Road, Whittlesey, was wounded on Friday while staying on the remote island of Pemba. The 18 year old, one of 24 volunteers attacked by gun-toting bandits, escaped death by millimetres when a bullet ripped through her, narrowly missing her spine. The bullet tore through the teenager and lodged in 20-year-old Robert Scott's thigh. Grace arrived in London's Heathrow airport last night, looking pale and tired, but in good spirits. Speaking to the Daily Express newspaper, she said: "I just can't wait to see all my family and friends again. "I feel absolutely gutted about what has happened and about having to say goodbye to everyone who helped me get through the last few days. I couldn't have managed without them." Grace, who has just completed A-levels in IT and art, was part of a group of environmental volunteers on the £2,000 once-in-a lifetime scuba diving trip, organised by Frontier tour company. The pirates posed as policemen when they first approached the group, but once darkness fell they fired the shot which hit Grace and Robert before stripping and searching the rest of the party for possessions. After being shot, her machete-wielding attackers made her lie face down in the sand while others were hit by machete handles and forced to strip at gunpoint. | | Grace Forster Despite heavy bleeding, quick-thinking Grace buried her sister's expensive watch and passport in the sand while struggling to stay conscious. But brave Grace's terrifying ordeal hasn't robbed the teenager of her sense of humour as she described Robert as her new "bullet buddy". She said: "We've been inseparable since our ordeal. We're bullet buddies now, so I know we'll be meeting up again soon. Once the bullet is removed from Rob, we're planning to split it in half and each have a piece in memory of our ordeal." Ian and Pauline Forster, Grace's relieved parents, also told of their joy that Grace had returned home safe. Ian (55) said: "This has been one hell of a week for the whole family. It has been an absolute nightmare. But now she's home we just can't wait to spend time together as a family. "When she arrived on the island she e-mailed us saying how great it was and telling us to wish her luck. I thank God she was lucky that day." SOURCE - Evening Telegraph |
