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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Mostafa Rachwani

Wristwatch reflection led to ‘miracle’ sea rescue 23 hours after man went overboard

Rolling green hills and water on the Coromandel peninsula
Will Fransen, 61, had set off on a solo fishing trip from Whangamatā on the Coromandel peninsula when he was pulled overboard. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian

A New Zealand man who survived more than 23 hours in cold waters and an encounter with a shark has been rescued after fishers spotted the reflection from his watch.

Will Fransen, 61, had set off on a solo fishing trip from Whangamatā on the Coromandel Peninsula, south of Auckland, on 2 January, but was yanked overboard after hooking what he suspected was a marlin.

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