A man was rescued after spending 38 hours adrift at sea when his jet ski malfunctioned. Layonel Ramirez Collado, aged 27, was left stranded in the scorching sun for three days before a rescue team located him.
Reportedly, the incident occurred when Mr. Collado was out boating with friends near Juan Grande in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. His jet ski became detached from the boat, prompting him to jump in after it with the intention of catching up with his friends on the shore. Unfortunately, as night descended, he found himself drifting further out to sea while his companions waited on the coast.
Search efforts commenced after his friends raised the alarm at 11 pm. Despite bravely holding onto his jet ski, he remained elusive. It wasn’t until the third day, after spending two nights adrift in the Atlantic, that he caught the attention of a passing aircraft approximately 15 nautical miles southwest of Arguineguín.
Rescuers found Mr. Collado sitting on the jet ski, dehydrated and sunburned but conscious. He was eventually brought ashore by a cargo vessel and appeared to be in good health, with only minor complaints of slight chest pain from his prolonged exposure on the jet ski.
Following the ordeal, Mr. Collado was taken to San Roque Meloneras Hospital in San Bartolomé de Tirajana for medical evaluation. His family, relieved by his safe return, expressed their confidence in his survival throughout the ordeal. One family member remarked, “I told you so. He held on to the jet ski and that’s why he didn’t drown.”
Despite criticisms of the initial search efforts by Spanish authorities, Mr. Collado’s loved ones were grateful for his safe return. After his harrowing experience, Layonel expressed his desire to relax and watch Netflix as soon as he could.
