A 22-year-old surfer from Glasgow, western Scotland, has survived a 32-hour-ordeal in the Irish Sea.
ADVERTISEMENTA 22-year-old surfer from Glasgow, western Scotland, has survived a 32-hour-ordeal in the Irish Sea.
Matthew Bryce was picked up by a Coast Guard helicopter around 24 kilometres (13 nautical miles) off Argyll, on the Scottish coast, and taken to hospital in Belfast to be treated for hypothermia.
“Being out overnight and all of that following day in the water he was in surprisingly good condition, he was a very fit person and the conditions weren’t that bad so I think he was very lucky when he was recovered,” said Coast Guard, Alex Smith.
Missing surfer found alive 13 miles off coast after 32 hours adrift at sea. https://t.co/4rnFXCcyQZpic.twitter.com/UHvlIYRM7L
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 2, 2017
Bryce, who was reported missing on Sunday (April 30), has thanked his ‘hero’ rescuers.
They say the fact that he stayed with his surfboard and was wearing a thick, neoprene wet suit, probably saved his life.
The young surfer’s family have described his survival as “better than a lottery win.”
The family of #Glasgow surfer Matthew Bryce say "the past 48 hours have been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions". pic.twitter.com/5dQELtdavp
— Heart Scotland News (@HeartScotNews) May 2, 2017