Fraser Island pilot Gerry Geltch to appear on Survivor: Heroes vs Villains

A 63-year-old Fraser Island pilot, who ditched into the sea and swam through shark infested surf in one of many death-defying feats, will compete in the new series of popular reality show Survivor.

Fraser Island pilot Gerry Geltch has survived three crashes, and is one 24 contestants taking on the latest Heroes vs Villains series of Survivor, with the first episode airing on January 30, 2023.

A Fraser Coast pilot, who has cheated death in three plane crashes, will be hoping to navigate the on-screen challenges as one of the “heroes” of the newest incarnation of reality television show Survivor.

Air Fraser’s Gerry Geltch is one 24 contestants taking on the latest Heroes vs Villains series of Survivor, with the first episode airing on January 30, 2023.

It is a new challenge for the 63-year-old, who has walked/swam away from three plane crashes in the past 22 years.

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Fraser Island pilot Gerry Geltch

In 2001, he was the passenger in a twin-engine Cessna being flown by Dr Richard Heath when it crashed about 80m short of the Sunshine Coast Airport runway shortly after taking off.

Mr Geltch and Dr Heath each suffered serious injuries in the crash.

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In 20202 Mr Geltch and Dr Richard Heath were seriously injured when their plane crashed about 80m from the Sunshine Coast Airport runway.

In January 2020, he was flying a new Cessna 206 off Fraser Island when it ditched in the ocean about 150m away from the Happy Valley Ambulance base on the island’s western side.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau report of the crash revealed Mr Geltch, after finding himself unable to open the pilot’s door, climbed over the seats and kicked open the cargo door.

When he realised he could not find his 20-year-old trainee passenger outside the plane, he swam back into the sinking plane – three-quarters submerged – to search for them.

The trainee had climbed out the pilot’s window. The two of them swam to shore clutching a lifejacket Mr Geltch had grabbed when he went back inside the wreckage.

Paramedics met them in the water.

In January 2020 Gerry Geltch and a trainee passenger were forced to swim from the wreckage of their plane when it went down off the western side of Fraser Island.

Mr Geltch later described his injuries from the crash as “couple of lumps and bumps and a couple of stitches” and “nothing worse than a Saturday afternoon football game“.

The third crash reportedly happened near Kingfisher Bay.

Mr Geltch was not seriously hurt in the crash.

His online 10 Play profile says he has been a pilot at the tourism hot spot for 35 years.

“During that time, he’s survived plane crashes, rescued passengers, and saved people from beach dangers,’ the profile says.

He will be the oldest member of the Heroes in this series and the oldest first-time player to compete on the Australian Heroes vs Villains series, now in its eighth year.

““The reason why I’m here to play is to prove to myself at my age I can do this,” he said in his online profile.

“Number two, show other people around my age, don’t give it away.

“You can go and do new different things. This is all new to me as well.”

The new series starts Monday, January 30.