British tourist Jensen Sturgeon trapped in Copacabana quicksand

A British holidaymaker had a terrifying experience after getting stuck in quicksand on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 22. Jensen Sturgeon, 22, from England, said he “thought he was going to die” after digging himself into an eight-foot hole that suddenly caved in.

Jensen was enjoying his vacation and decided to dig a deep hole in the sand for fun. But as he got waist-deep, he hit a layer of quicksand caused by water beneath the surface. Within seconds, the sand collapsed, trapping him and pulling his legs downward.

Three Hours of Panic and Struggle

Jensen was stuck for over three hours. Images and videos show him helpless at the bottom of the hole with people around him trying to help. Around 30 people, including beachgoers, lifeguards, and vendors, rushed to assist. Some tried digging around him, while others passed down wood and ropes in an effort to pull him out.

Despite the desperate attempts, nothing worked at first. During the wait, people gave Jensen water and even a beer to keep him hydrated and calm.

“I Thought I Was Going to Die”

Eventually, Jensen was successfully pulled to safety by a team of rescuers. Onlookers cheered and clapped as he was brought out of the hole. Speaking at the airport before returning to England, Jensen said:

“I’m Jensen from England, and I’m the guy who got stuck in that hole. I thought I was going to die. But luckily, I had good people to save me. Obrigado to the people of Rio that helped me out.”

Safety Advice for Quicksand Situations

YouTuber Colt, known for his survival videos, warned that the tide is more dangerous than the quicksand itself. He said if someone gets stuck, they should lie on their back and spread their arms to create a larger surface area, helping them stay above the sand.