The fisherman spent 24 hours in the water before being fished out. MARIO TAMA / Getty Images via AFP
The man, who fell into the sea while fishing alone, was spotted thanks to the reflection of the sun on his watch.
A New Zealand fisherman was saved by what police described on Thursday, January 4, as “absolute miracle”after spending almost 24 hours in the water, using the reflection of the sun on his watch to attract attention.
The man was fishing alone when he fell overboard on Tuesday after catching a marlin off the Coromandel Peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. He was swept away by the currents and was unable to return to his boat, Sergeant Hamilton said. “He spent a cold night in the ocean, too exhausted to continue swimming. While he was in the water, a shark even came and sniffed him before leaving.he added.
“A true miracle”
On Wednesday afternoon, three men fishing in the area noticed an unusual reflection in the water. “They decided to search and discovered another fisherman desperately trying to get their attention by using the reflection of the sun on his watch”Hamilton said. “It is a true miracle that the fisherman is still alive after this ordeal. Without the rapid intervention of the three men who fished him out, the outcome would certainly have been tragic..