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Mattacott, a marketing specialist in Vietnam, found himself stranded in a remote forest area after riding his motorcycle onto a challenging dirt road. On October 3, he turned onto a dirt path through the mountains and forest in Dang Thuy Tram Commune, Quang Ngai Province, following directions from Google Maps. The road proved difficult, with steep inclines, rough rocks, and mud.

Eventually, his Kawasaki W650 suffered a flat tire on a rocky slope. Mattacott walked and pushed his motorcycle for over three hours before local residents discovered him in the Kon Doc area and alerted commune police. Lieutenant Colonel Phan Tien Dung and Captain Pham Trung Tien arrived in a specialized vehicle to rescue him and his motorcycle.

The officers transported Mattacott and his bike nearly 20 kilometers to the nearest residential area, where he could find a repair shop for his flat tire. After repairs, the officers escorted him to a main road, allowing him to continue his journey.

In a letter to VnExpress, Mattacott expressed his gratitude to the local residents and police for their assistance. He had become lost while traveling from Quy Nhon to Da Nang, finding himself on a very rough mountain road. Mattacott, who had traveled to 34 countries, noted that he received exceptional treatment in Vietnam, stating he wouldn't have been treated so well in any other country he had visited.

Lieutenant Colonel Dung explained that the dirt road connecting An Lao, Gia Lai, to Dang Thuy Tram Commune is primarily used by locals and for forestry activities. The route features many steep, rocky sections, making it easy for those unfamiliar with the terrain to become disoriented. Police advised tourists, especially during the rainy season, to avoid the road due to muddy conditions, landslides, and potential road isolation.