A New Zealand man who survived more than 23 hours in the sea after being pulled overboard while fishing has been rescued thanks to the reflection from his wristwatch. Will Fransen, 61, was on a solo trip from Whangamatā on the Coromandel Peninsula when he hooked a large fish—believed to be a marlin—and was yanked into the water. He was unable to catch his 12-metre boat as it drifted away.
Fransen spent a cold night treading water, too exhausted to swim. At one point he encountered a shark, which came close before swimming off. He told the New Zealand Herald he was “pessimistic” from the outset, but kept himself alive. The next day, three fishermen spotted the glint of his watch from about 600 metres away and went to investigate.
Police Sergeant Will Hamilton described the rescue as an “absolute miracle”. The fishermen brought Fransen aboard, wrapped him in layers, and gave him warm water and cranberry juice to keep him conscious. He was later treated for hypothermia and exhaustion. His boat remains missing, but as Hamilton noted, “the fisherman still has his watch”.
