Three saved by SMS after 22 days lost at sea
Ian Gerard
Australian
_______
Just a day after miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb walked free from their underground cage in Tasmania, a similarly miraculous tale of survival was unfolding in the country's north.
Father of six John Tabo, 38, his 20-year-old son John Jr and 16-year-old nephew Tom were reunited with their family yesterday after spending three weeks lost in a dinghy in the Torres Strait.
The three Murray Islanders survived their 22-day ordeal by eating raw squid, fish and clams, drinking rainwater and riding out the rough seas whipped up by Cyclone Monica.
The trio had been missing since April 17, when they left Murray Island in their 5m vessel for Yorke Island, about 70km away.
After an extensive air and sea search failed to find any sign of them, the hunt was called off on April 24.
But yesterday the three, suffering dehydration and exposure from their ordeal, were treated at the remote island's medical centre while the islanders celebrated their return.
Health authorities say the three each lost about 30kg.
An exhausted-looking Mr Tabo cuddled his granddaughters while he recounted the trio's amazing tale.
"We drank rainwater and ate squid and clams," he said. "We used a throw-net to catch the squid."
Cape York police inspector Russel Rhodes said the three became disoriented shortly after beginning their journey.
May 11, 2006
Ian Gerard
Australian
_______
Just a day after miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb walked free from their underground cage in Tasmania, a similarly miraculous tale of survival was unfolding in the country's north.
Father of six John Tabo, 38, his 20-year-old son John Jr and 16-year-old nephew Tom were reunited with their family yesterday after spending three weeks lost in a dinghy in the Torres Strait.
The three Murray Islanders survived their 22-day ordeal by eating raw squid, fish and clams, drinking rainwater and riding out the rough seas whipped up by Cyclone Monica.
The trio had been missing since April 17, when they left Murray Island in their 5m vessel for Yorke Island, about 70km away.
After an extensive air and sea search failed to find any sign of them, the hunt was called off on April 24.
But yesterday the three, suffering dehydration and exposure from their ordeal, were treated at the remote island's medical centre while the islanders celebrated their return.
Health authorities say the three each lost about 30kg.
An exhausted-looking Mr Tabo cuddled his granddaughters while he recounted the trio's amazing tale.
"We drank rainwater and ate squid and clams," he said. "We used a throw-net to catch the squid."
Cape York police inspector Russel Rhodes said the three became disoriented shortly after beginning their journey.
May 11, 2006
