SAVED FROM THE SEA
Brit kayaker who capsized in the English Channel survived for 12 days eating seaweed and crabs
A BRITISH kayaker who capsized in the English Channel survived 12 days eating seaweed and crabs.
The unnamed 28-year-old was found by Dutch fishermen clinging to a buoy in the middle of the sea.
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The stranded man had apparently set off on a planned trip from Dover to France — wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks.
He was spotted days later “waving like a madman” by the crew of the cutter ship De Madelaine.
He was bruised, dehydrated and suffering from severe hypothermia when he was hauled on board the fishing vessel — with a possibly lethal body temperature of just 26C.
Skipper Teunis de Boer spotted him through a pair of binoculars and said: “It was a miracle he survived, it’s almost a boy’s book.
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“He looked a bit confused, so we don’t know exactly how long.
“You can bet that you can’t sleep on such a buoy, especially with the rough weather of the past few days.”
The skipper added about the rescue: “He clearly had little energy left. With his very last bit of strength, he managed to extend his arm, after which we were able to bring him in.”
The crew offered him a Snickers chocolate bar and the man told them of his ordeal.
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They also wrapped him in blankets and called the French Coast Guard.
He was then airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in France for treatment after the remarkable rescue.
Mr de Boer said he was incredibly lucky to be found as the crew had not planned to catch fish in the area — but went sailing after a disappointing morning’s catch.
De Boer added: “Well, it’s quite a story, isn’t it.”
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