TEN YEARS AGO A DARING desert flight from the Gulf crisis brought a distraught mother news that her son had survived Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Rishton teacher Andrew Whitcombe was found to be safe and well in Kuwait City with fellow escapees Katrina Jackson and Tony Otway, from Rossendale. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph broke the news to his mother, Maryse Whitcombe at her Lincolnshire home, who was filled with relief. She had not heard from her son since August 1 when he rang to wish her happy birthday.