Brit kayaker who capsized in the English Channel survived for 12 days eating seaweed and crabs
(Picture: EMK-vissers/Facebook)A British kayaker has been saved 12 days after his vessel capsized in the English Channel.
The unnamed 28-year-old was found by Dutch fishermen as he clung to a buoy wearing just a pair of swimming shorts on Thursday.
According to the ship’s captain, Teunis de Boer, the man was spotted by the crew after waving at them “like a madman” from a buoy, news outlet, NOS said.
After bringing the man on board, the captain said the 28-year-old was bruised, dehydrated and suffering from severe hypothermia with a reported body temperature of just 26C.
“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,” Mr de Boer said.
“It was a miracle he survived. 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 man had apparently set off on a trip from Dover to France on October 15.
After bringing him on board, the crew fed him before he was airlifted to a French hospital by the coastguard.
