Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Information => Outdoor News and Events => Topic started by: admin on October 12, 2009
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A man has narrowly escaped with his life after he tried to swim across the River Foyle to win a bet.
He was pulled from the river in Londonderry wearing only his boxer shorts after a family walking along the Foyle Expressway spotted him.
Paddy Wilson from Foyle Search and Rescue said the man could easily have been swept away.
"It was just by the grace of God that family was out for a walk and spotted him," he said.
The incident happened almost two weeks ago, but has only just come to light.
"We got the call on a Saturday afternoon, and we came across a young man swimming in the river," explained Mr Wilson.
"He was cold and fairly exhausted by this stage.
Dangerous
"Thankfully he was still near the shore, because had he been a few feet further out he would have been in the channel, and once you're caught in the channel in this river it's very hard to get out.
"He didn't have any protective clothing on, just a pair of boxer shorts.
"He told us he'd tried to swim across the river for a bet."
Mr Wilson explained that the Foyle was a particularly dangerous river.
"Over the years people have tried to swim across, but it's something the Search and Rescue team would strongly advise against.
"It can be done, but only provided the tide is right and you know your tides and you know your river.
"It's extremely fast-flowing, and cold, and on the side of the river he was on there are no lifebelts and he was on his own, so there was nobody there to save him.
"The River Foyle is a beautiful river, but nature can be very dangerous sometimes."
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8299040.stm
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Darwin at work again!
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lol ......darwin. know exactly what you mean lol.
pity more dont try it actually ;D :D
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Only stupit people try to swim that river in this city >:(