Three teenagers survive 50 days adrift in Pacific

11-26-2010

Three teenage boys have been found alive after being lost in their boat in the Pacific Ocean for 50 days.

The boys, from the Tokelau Islands, a New Zealand-administered territory in the South Pacific, had been given up for dead after an unsuccessful search.

A tuna fishing boat picked them up near Fiji and is taking them to hospital for treatment for severe sunburn.

The boys survived on coconuts, water they trapped on a tarpaulin and a seabird they managed to catch.

2 Comments in Response to Three teenagers survive 50 days adrift in Pacific

Comment by Jason Dimitrov

Entered on: 11/26/2010 10:32:27 PM

I read this story last night and also questioned its authenticity. Perfect candidate for "I shouldn't be alive", if it's true of course. Which if it is that's simply amazing.

Comment by Powell Gammill

Entered on: 11/26/2010 11:27:40 AM

This is a stunning, remarkable story. Part of me wonders if it is true. Surviving 50 days at sea with little fresh water or drinkable fluids... wow. The fact that they started drinking sea water two days before rescue probably meant they had only a couple of more days left to survive...and their electrolyte balance would be so far gone that recovery in a hospital is unlikely. I am surprised they responded so well in a fishing boat with fresh water. Impressive tale of human will to survive.

Make a Comment (2) • Email Link • Send Letter to Editor