lost diver recovered after 58hrs at sea

rick_fantastic · 06-09-2006 1:06pm #1

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Diver survivor ... Matthew Harvey

Diver survivor ... Matthew Harvey

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Lost diver is back from dead

By JOHN COLES
September 06, 2006

A DIVER feared dead after being lost at sea for 58 hours was hauled from the water ALIVE.

Unconscious Matthew Harvey, 35, was pulled to safety by a yachtsman hours after a search was called off.

He had been swept to sea and spent more than two days swimming against strong currents.

When the tide turned, he was carried back almost to his starting point in Fermain Bay, Guernsey.

His dad Dan said: “He’s totally knackered after two nights and three days in the water.

“I don’t think he would have survived a third night. He hasn’t been able to give full details yet but he said, ‘I just swam and swam and swam’.

“Hopefully he will make a full recovery.”

Tidal power ... diver's journey

Matthew vanished at 9am on Saturday while on a solo dive, triggering a full air and sea search.

Police divers joined in on Sunday but the hunt was called off on Monday afternoon. At 7pm the yachtsman spotted Matthew.

He was rushed to hospital where his elated wife Katie and family dashed to his bedside. His diving kit had kept him afloat.

His dad admitted that hopes had been fading.

He added: “For all we knew, he might have died five minutes after entering the water.”

Guernsey harbourmaster Peter Gill said: “We’re amazed he is alive.”