By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
A fisherman was rescued almost 24 hours after falling into the sea off the New Zealand coast, using the reflection of the sun from his watch to signal for help.
According to the police, the fisherman’s survival was an absolute miracle.
In a statement, Whangamatā Police Sgt. Will Hamilton, said, the man, whose names were withheld, told officers that a shark came to have a sniff.
The fisherman’s trying experience began after he fell into the water off of New Zealand’s North Island of Tuesday while trying to reel in a marlin.
He was unable to catch the idling boat as it meandered further out of reach, so he decided to swim to the Aldermen Islands, which is around 35 miles off the North Island’s east coast.
Hamilton further stated that strong currents thwarted his plan as he endured a cold night in the ocean and was too exhausted to keep swimming.
Stonix News learnt that after he spent more than 23 hours in the water, three fishermen noticed an unusual reflection in the distance.
They decided to investigate the source of the reflection, which led them to the man who was desperately trying to get their attention using the reflection of the sun on his watch.
After pulling him from the water, according to Hamilton, they went to shore where an ambulance crew was waiting.
“The man was hypothermic and exhausted when he was returned to land.
“The boaters did an absolute stellar job and without a doubt saved this man’s life.
“Without the quick actions of the three gentlemen that retrieved him, this certainly would have had a tragic outcome.
“It is an absolute miracle the fisherman is still alive after the ordeal.
“Police are still working to find the man’s boat.
“The boat may be missing, but the fisherman still has his watch,” Hamilton said.
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