World | Australia
Two divers survive 20 hours drifting off Australia
Two scuba divers, a British man and an American woman, were rescued on Saturday after drifting for 20 hours off Australia's Great Barrier Reef after they became separated from their dive party.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:11 May 24, 2008
Sydney: Two scuba divers, a British man and an American woman, were rescued on Saturday after drifting for 20 hours off Australia's Great Barrier Reef after they became separated from their dive party.
A rescue helicopter spotted the divers drifting about 12.5 kilometres north-west of Bait Reef, hauled them aboard and flew them to a nearby resort island, police said.
A helicopter rescue official said, "I'm quite surprised, they are in such great condition."
The official added, "It was quite amazing, with over 20 hours in the ocean to not have more exposure, but I guess the wetsuits just kept them warm enough during the night. Possibly they had some fresh water on them and they didn't get too sunburnt during the afternoon."
The two, part of a party of six divers on a charter boat, became separated on Friday afternoon and drifted some eight nautical miles during the night.
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