Gap year student safe and well after Chilean earthquake

A gap year student has calmed the fears of her family after getting in touch following the devastating Chilean earthquake.

The Exeter Express and Echo reported that Laura Hapgood, 29, from Sidmouth, and her partner Andre Lanyon were in Pichilemu when the 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck, claiming more than 700 lives.

Although the district was not one of the worst affected, it has taken some time for Ms Hapgood to get in touch to let her family know that she is safe and well.

The news that she was okay was received by email, with her brother Alex posting on a social network that the couple were on a bus to Santiago.

Her stepfather David Guthrie-Clark, told the source that the family has endured a worrying time.

"There had been conflicting reports about the damage in the area they were staying in. We guessed communication was down and that was probably the reason. But we had a difficult weekend as we could not get any information," he added.

Ms Hapgood's situation highlights the need for taking a smartphone, such as the iPhone, on a gap year, so that families can be kept up-to-date with how they are faring.

Click here for gap year advice.

( Last Updated: 2010-03-09 15:57:05)