August 5
Jerusalem, - An eight-year-old Israeli boy spent six hours floating in the Dead Sea alone at night after his father left him there by accident during a family trip.
The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, has an abnormally high salt concentration that allows swimmers to float on the surface.
Rescue workers said the boy, from Jerusalem, was in the sea with his father and two brothers on Thursday evening when currents swept him away from shore, without anyone else noticing.
Police spokesman said the family was part of a large group visiting a beach reserved for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men - who do not bathe in the presence of women - away from main public areas.
His father left the water with other members of the group and only noticed the boy was missing as darkness fell.
A major search by police helicopters and volunteers in motorboats finally found the boy about three kilometres from the shore early Friday after six hours in the strong-smelling, corrosive water.
The boy was dehydrated and frightened but otherwise healthy, he said. He told his rescuers he remained calm throughout the ordeal, saying prayers and thinking about his school friends as he floated in the darkness.
The mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea helped keep the boy afloat but could have choked him had he panicked and swallowed large quantities.
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Full Version: 8yr boy floated alone for 6 hours in Dead Sea
QUOTE(owlscrying @ Aug 5 2007, 07:18 PM) 
August 5
Jerusalem, - An eight-year-old Israeli boy spent six hours floating in the Dead Sea alone at night after his father left him there by accident during a family trip.
The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, has an abnormally high salt concentration that allows swimmers to float on the surface.
Rescue workers said the boy, from Jerusalem, was in the sea with his father and two brothers on Thursday evening when currents swept him away from shore, without anyone else noticing.
Police spokesman said the family was part of a large group visiting a beach reserved for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men - who do not bathe in the presence of women - away from main public areas.
His father left the water with other members of the group and only noticed the boy was missing as darkness fell.
A major search by police helicopters and volunteers in motorboats finally found the boy about three kilometres from the shore early Friday after six hours in the strong-smelling, corrosive water.
The boy was dehydrated and frightened but otherwise healthy, he said. He told his rescuers he remained calm throughout the ordeal, saying prayers and thinking about his school friends as he floated in the darkness.
The mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea helped keep the boy afloat but could have choked him had he panicked and swallowed large quantities.
go
Jerusalem, - An eight-year-old Israeli boy spent six hours floating in the Dead Sea alone at night after his father left him there by accident during a family trip.
The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, has an abnormally high salt concentration that allows swimmers to float on the surface.
Rescue workers said the boy, from Jerusalem, was in the sea with his father and two brothers on Thursday evening when currents swept him away from shore, without anyone else noticing.
Police spokesman said the family was part of a large group visiting a beach reserved for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men - who do not bathe in the presence of women - away from main public areas.
His father left the water with other members of the group and only noticed the boy was missing as darkness fell.
A major search by police helicopters and volunteers in motorboats finally found the boy about three kilometres from the shore early Friday after six hours in the strong-smelling, corrosive water.
The boy was dehydrated and frightened but otherwise healthy, he said. He told his rescuers he remained calm throughout the ordeal, saying prayers and thinking about his school friends as he floated in the darkness.
The mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea helped keep the boy afloat but could have choked him had he panicked and swallowed large quantities.
go
I don't know how anyone could "forget" their child anywhere. I know where my daughter is at all times when I take here anywhere.
QUOTE(glorybebe @ Aug 5 2007, 07:27 PM)
I don't know how anyone could "forget" their child anywhere. I know where my daughter is at all times when I take here anywhere.
I know what you mean,if my daughter was out of my sight for a few minutes i would start rubber necking to see what the heck she was up to, and that was at home! If we were out some place i wasn,t happy unless she was in my line of vision at all times!
QUOTE(swtp @ Aug 5 2007, 09:19 PM)
I know what you mean,if my daughter was out of my sight for a few minutes i would start rubber necking to see what the heck she was up to, and that was at home! If we were out some place i wasn,t happy unless she was in my line of vision at all times!
yup. When I take my daughter and her two cousins anywhere the rules are to be in my sight at all times. If I can't see them, I say their names and say "I can't see you!" and they come running.
well at least he floated.
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