UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a surfer was swept out to the sea and survived while holding on to his board some 32 hours while attempting to surf along the west coast of Scotland.
The surfer, Matthew Bryce, 22, of Glasgow was rescued by a helicopter on Monday night and was rushed to a hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland for treatment.
Bryce said in his statement that he was so grateful for the rescuers and those who cared for him, they are all his heroes. He is now recovering in hospital.
Bryce’s family called the authorities midday on Monday after failing to return from Machrihanish beach where he went to surfing the previous morning.
While Bryce was at the sea, the water temperature dropped below 46 degrees. At the time of his rescue, he was already suffering from hypothermia but remained conscious.
Spokeswoman for the coast guard operations center, Dawn Petrie said Bryce wore the right gear - a thick neoprene suit and this must have helped him to survive for so long at sea.
Petrie said they almost lose hope of finding the surfer safe because of staying in a long period in the cold water and the nightfall was approaching which was gravely their concern.
Somewhere 13 miles offshore, rescue crew spotted something in the water which they initially thought was a buoy according to Coast Guard helicopter pilot, Capt. Andy Pilliner.
Pilliner said "We went around, dropped down the height a bit, came in and then that moment, when you go, 'Oh! it is actually a surfboard and there is actually someone on it waving.'" "It's just a great feeling, it's just what you're hoping for, but daren't" Pilliner added.
Source:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-surfer-rescued-32-hours-20170502-story.html
