Carol Shaben, the author of "Into the Abyss," brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the gripping narrative of the survivors of the 1984 plane crash in Alberta, Canada. At the age of 22, Shaben found herself intimately connected to the heart-wrenching event when her father's plane went down. This tragic experience ignited her passion for capturing stories of courage and conviction, and it serves as the driving force behind her compelling exploration of survival and resilience.
How do we get out of situations that seem impossible? What are the ways through which we can engage our minds into thinking that an impossible situation can be solved? Shaben, describes this amazingly in her book, “Into the Abyss.” The journey of Erik Vogel, a 24-year-old, will be insightful for you, emphasising the importance of trusting your instincts, positive upbeat mindset, grit, perseverance, and good old comradeship in scaling insurmountable odds. Dive in to find out how he comes out of a difficult and uncertain situation.
Summary
"Into the Abyss" chronicles the gripping tale of four survivors of a tragic plane crash in 1984. Larry, Erik, Paul, and Scott faced freezing temperatures and harrowing conditions as they fought to stay alive. Their resilience and support for one another, along with the tireless efforts of the rescue teams, led to their eventual rescue. The story explores their journeys of healing, redemption, and the enduring impact of their near-death experience.
Ultimately, "Into the Abyss" is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can persevere, find hope, and emerge stronger than before. It urges us to hold onto hope, find solace in unity, and embrace life with courage and gratitude, no matter the challenges that lie ahead.
The Fateful Flight: A Risky Journey with Uncertain Conditions
On October 19, 1984, Erik Vogel, a 24-year-old pilot, faced a challenging situation as he piloted a flight from Edmonton to Grande Prairie at 7 pm, with 10 passengers on board. Adverse weather conditions, the absence of a co-pilot, and concerns about the plane's weight due to fuel and luggage made the journey highly risky and uncertain.Among the passengers, three of them were Larry Shaben, the provincial housing minister, rookie RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer Scott Deschamps, and prisoner...
The Tragic Crash: Survivors Amidst Devastation
As the journey continued, Erik faced further challenges. Despite his calculations and descent preparations, the plane failed to locate the High Prairie airport, resulting in a harrowing turn of events. The right-wing collided with a snowy hillside, causing significant damage and tilting the plane. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed to the ground, destroyed, and ended up upside down, buried three feet deep in the snow. Amid this devastation, Paul managed to escape the wreckage with a few cuts and immediately recognised...
The Desperate Search: Tracking the Crash Site
As the minutes ticked by without any sign of the plane's arrival, Luella Wood, the airport manager, grew increasingly concerned. She was unable to establish communication with the aircraft. The Peace River Flight Service took immediate action when another plane detected an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal—a clear indication that an aircraft had gone down.With the news of the crash, Dale Wells, also the president of Wapiti Airlines, wasted no time and arranged for a private jet for his search...
Endurance and Hope: The Long Wait for Rescue
Warrant officer Everett Hale assumed command of the search operation, driven by an unwavering determination to locate the stranded passengers. His team took to the air at 11:10 pm, facing the same daunting weather conditions that had plagued Dale Wells and his team. Despite their knowledge of the crash site, landing safely proved impossible amidst the extreme weather. They managed to pick up distorted signals from the emergency locator transmitter (ELT), offering a glimmer of hope in their search efforts....
A Desperate Search: Racing Against Time to Save Lives
As the men awaited rescue, Larry and Paul diligently gathered wood or any clothes they could find to keep the fire burning, going so far as to bring a seat from the plane to burn and combat the encroaching hypothermia. Despite Paul's earlier strength, he too began to shiver, prompting Larry, who could barely see without his glasses, to offer him warmth through a heartfelt embrace. At that moment, Paul experienced a love and affection he had never known before,...
Rebuilding Lives: Reflections and Redemption
Despite being hailed as a hero, Paul still faced the charges pressed against him and was subsequently incarcerated after leaving the hospital. However, on October 22, a sympathetic judge acknowledged Paul's heroic actions and declared that he had already served his sentence, granting him freedom. Overwhelmed by this realisation, Paul felt a surge of determination to make the most of this newfound opportunity and turn his life around. He heeded the advice to seek therapy and actively worked on self-improvement.Erik,...
The Aftermath: Life's Unpredictable Paths for the Survivors
Paul experienced a newfound love in his life in Grand Prairie, where he thrived and aspired to be a better person for his partner, Susan. However, his world crumbled when he witnessed Susan flirting with another man. Overwhelmed by betrayal, Paul impulsively drove away, causing a severe accident that reignited his addiction to painkillers. Susan discovered Paul lying on the floor, needle in hand, and demanded that he leave. Tragically, on May 7th, 1991, Paul succumbed to exposure, with Scott...
Survivors Reunite: Reflections, Wishes, and Life's Journeys
In October 2004, Larry arranged a reunion with the surviving men, twenty years after the crash. They gathered together, embracing one another, and expressing their gratitude for Paul's tireless efforts during the time of the crash, as he ran back and forth to assist anyone in need. They also reminisced about their responses to the question they asked each other twenty years ago while they anxiously awaited the arrival of the rescue team: "If you had one wish right now,...
More knowledge in less time
The Art of Community
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
About the Author
At the age of 42, I quit a corporate job to follow my passion: presenting the tales of people who are frequently ignored or undervalued yet whose courage, heroism, and conviction profoundly affect and inspire us to be our best selves. When Random House Canada purchased my first book, Into the Abyss, in less than two hours, I was both astonished and overjoyed. Since then, it has gained widespread publication and become a national bestseller. Film rights for the novel have just become available, despite being once under option.
With a foreword written by Amal Clooney, my most recent book, The Marriott Cell, which I co-wrote with Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy, was a remarkable collaboration that highlights the value of independent reporting and press freedom in these unsettling times of terrorist threats and "fake news."
A better world—one without racism, poverty, violence, oppression, or environmental degradation—can be created if we pay close attention to the common people and everyday events that affect our lives, in my opinion. Last but not least, I identify as a humanist—someone who aspires to live an ethical life motivated by compassion, guided by reason, and informed by knowledge and experience. This concept and my steadfast dedication to advancing the greater welfare of humanity serve as the foundation for the writing and artistic endeavors I engage in.
Thank you for registering with Storise.
Your journey with books and ideas begins now, anytime, anywhere.
You can now use your registered email to log in to the app.
.png){kind=icon}
