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61-Year-Old Retiree Survives 13 Hours in Frigid Gulf after Currents Carry Him Away
October 24, 2009
PRESS RELEASE

Swept out to sea after a day of surfing at Surfside Beach on Thursday, John Baker had spent more than 13 hours in the water by 2 a.m. Friday.

The 61-year-old tried to head back to shore but the strong currents and wind repeatedly swept him back out. He had waved and yelled at a passing boat, but the skipper hadn't seen him.

"I have only a few hours left," the retired Coast Guard officer and veterinarian thought to himself, as he battled 2- to 4-foot swells and tried to keep his body warm.

Swept farther and farther out into the Gulf of Mexico, he saw bright lights -- a drilling platform.

Link to http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6682412.html for more.
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