Fisherman Hero Swims 10 Hours to Shore

An Australian fisherman has been hailed a national hero after he swam for 10 hours in shark-infested waters to help his colleagues. Michael Williams, 39, amazed rescue workers and emergency services after his marathon 12-kilometre swim off the coast of New South Wales. His shrimp trawler hit a coral reef and sank very quickly. There was no time to radio for help, so Williams and the two other fishermen on the boat had no choice but to jump into the sea. The three men became separated in the dark and Williams decided to swim to the shore. His endurance amazed rescue workers and the fishing community. His efforts meant he was able to save one of his two crew mates. A rescue helicopter pulled John Jarrett, 41, from the ocean soon after Williams raised the alarm.

Emergency services called off the search for the third man, the boat’s captain, Charlie Picton. Police said evidence suggested he had drowned. Police officers described the survival of Williams and Jarrett as nothing short of

“miraculous”. A search and rescue specialist, Steve Willis, said very few people could survive such an ordeal. He told reporters: "The expected survival time for most people in those conditions would be a few hours.” Williams is making a full recovery in hospital, suffering from cuts and bruises, exhaustion and sunburn. Jarrett is also doing well after being severely dehydrated. He never doubted his survival, telling the media: "I've got a determination like no other person…I wasn't going to die out there, no way." He did add that he would never go to sea again.