Anglers were rescued by sunlight reflecting off their watches.
A New Zealand man who had been drifting in the sea for 24 hours was dramatically rescued thanks to his wristwatch.
According to foreign media such as the BBC on the 3rd (local time), Mr. A, who was on a fishing trip alone in the New Zealand sea, suffered an accident after falling from a 12m boat.
According to local police, Mr. A was swept away by the ocean current and had to endure the cold night stranded in the sea. The man, who attempted to swim back to nearby Alderman Island, drifted farther from land and was later too exhausted to continue swimming. He also trembled in fear when he saw a shark approaching and smelling his scent. Fortunately, the shark left him alone and went back.
One day passed and the man’s fate changed. Mr. A was dramatically rescued using his watch. The next day, around 2 p.m., three anglers near Mayor Island rescued Mr. A when they discovered a light reflected in the water.
At the time, one of the anglers saw something shining far out in the sea and steered his boat to the spot. It is known that Mr. A desperately sent a distress signal to them by reflecting sunlight through the glass of his watch.
After spotting Mr. A, the fishermen said “Nice to meet you” and rescued him from the sea. They made Mr. A, who was exhausted, drink water and cranberry juice, and transported him to a nearby hospital.
Mr. A received treatment for hypothermia and exhaustion, but fortunately his life was not in danger.
The whereabouts of Mr. A’s boat are unknown, and police are reportedly still looking for it.
The police said, “It is truly a miracle that Mr. A is alive.” Mr. A reportedly told the police that he wanted to leave a record saying he was grateful to the anglers who saved him and all emergency services involved in the incident.
Will Hamilton, a police officer in Wangamata, New Zealand, told the New Zealand Herald: “If it hadn’t been for the quick action of the three fishermen, the outcome would have been tragic. They did a really great job and undoubtedly saved this man’s life.”
Kim Ye-seul,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.