Yahoo News Fisherman Found Clinging to Signal Buoy After Falling into the Ocean on Christmas Day
Getty Images Whistle Bouy
A Brazilian fisherman has been found desperately clinging to a signal buoy after falling from his boat on Christmas Day.
David Soares, 43, was saved by a fellow fisherman in the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday after he fell into the water Sunday while working alone near the coast of Praia de Atafona, around 200 miles north of Rio de Janeiro.
Soares then swam for four hours until he reached the relative safety of the signal buoy around five miles from where the incident took place, he told local outlet G1 Globo.
"For me, the first 10 minutes were the most difficult because I wanted to get to the boat at all costs. But it's really an enormous weight of water, I couldn't swim against it", Soares told G1 Globo, adding that he removed his shirt and trousers mid-swim to stop them from weighing him down.
"There was swell, wind... I decided to let the waters take me to use less strength and 'walk' faster," he added. "It took me about four hours swimming to reach Porto do Açu, on the buoys."
MILAGRE: Um pescador foi encontrado à deriva pendurado em uma boia de sinalização no mar em São João da Barra, no Norte Rio de Janeiro. Deivid Soares, de 43 anos, ficou desparecido por dois dias e foi encontrado por um amigo, que também é pescador @sbtrio pic.twitter.com/w330pEyQ6t
— Diego Sangermano (@disangermano) December 27, 2022
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Soares' family became concerned for his safety when he didn't return from his Christmas Day voyage and asked the local fishing community for help in searching for him. They later also contacted the Brazilian Navy for assistance.
It wasn't until two days later that one of the local fishermen discovered Soares clinging to the signal buoy and brought him safely onboard.
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Alamy Stock Photo Atafona beach
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A video posted by his rescuer shows Soares laughing and joking, with no visible signs of injury. However, he later told local outlet Inter TV RJ that he became very emotional when he saw his rescuers "crying" from relief at finding him.
"Many times I thought I was going to die of cold until help arrived," Soares told G1 Globo.
Amazingly, after being treated for dehydration Soares returned to fishing on Monday.
"I had a second opportunity to face life with different eyes and to be a better man", he told G1 Globo.
