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Man leaps from ferry to swim back to port

Published: 10 Jun 12 08:50 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41350/20120610/

A 25-year-old man jumped from a ferry departing Visby on Gotland on Saturday and began to swim back into harbour, explaining that he had changed his mind about his trip, according to a report by the Helagotland newssite.

The Destination Gotland departed Visby at 7.20am on Saturday morning heading for Oskarshamn on the Swedish mainland with the man onboard.

But as the vessel was about 200 metres away from the quayside the man was seen to apparently fall from the ferry and into the chilly Baltic waters.

The man was plucked out of the water by staff in an rescue boat and rushed to Visby hospital.

After police officers interviewed him on Saturday afternoon it emerged that the man had not fallen from the ferry, but had instead leapt by his own volition, according to the Helagotland report.

The man told police that he didn't want to remain on the ferry and had instead decided that he would swim back to port.

Witnesses have confirmed how the man climbed the railings on the boat and leapt into the water, proceeding to swim towards land.

Medical staff at Visby hospital have confirmed that the man it in good shape under the circumstances but that he is suffering from mild hypothermia.

It remains unclear whether the man with be charged with any offence or the reasons for why he decided to abort his trip.

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12:22 June 10, 2012 by Cephalectomy
are they gonna sue him ?
16:37 June 10, 2012 by Abe L
This article is lacking vital information. Most importantly is the fact of wether the boat was halted or continued it's journey. If it did continue then this man should be blessed as he clearly didn't want the stop the entire boat as a result of his decision to return to shore. I can for one appreciate such non-egoistic thinking.
20:10 June 10, 2012 by SimonDMontfort
Rum fellow.

Most passengers decide such things BEFORE boarding the ferry, probably wishing to remain dry
05:16 June 11, 2012 by blue2012
If the boat wasn't there to pluck him from the water that individual would have died from hypothermia because of the cold water.

Attempting to swim 200 meters to shore is quite a distance.
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