A swimmer who had to read water for five hours after being dragged out into the Atlantic by a current has returned home from hospital.
Dan Ho, 63, is now safely back home in Long Island, after being rescued by a passing boat. Ho fashioned a flag from his T-shirt and broken fishing rod to attract the attention of the boat’s crew.
He was then brought ashore by the United States Coast Guard and taken to the hospital. He was released on Tuesday afternoon and told reporters he was feeling “healthy” and “strong.”
On social media. Suffolk County Police Department said: “A morning swim turned into a fight for survival for a Copiague man who was pulled out into the Atlantic Ocean Monday morning. Dan Ho went swimming at approximately 5am at Cedar Beach in Babylon and was pulled out by the current.
“After treading water for approximately five hours, Ho found a broken fishing pole in the water, tied his shirt to it and waved the shirt in the air in an attempt to notify passing vessels of his presence. Approximately 2 ½ miles south of where he entered the water, Ho was spotted by Jim Hohorst and Michael Ross aboard a 2007 Albin Tropical Soul.
“Hohorst and Ross pulled Ho onto the boat and Hohorst made a call over VHF radio. Marine Juliet, operated by Officer Robert Jenkins and Officer Bernadette Benjamin, responded and met the civilian boat and transferred Ho, who was conscious and alert but unable to stand, aboard and rendered aid for hypothermia.
“Ho, 63, was brought ashore to the United States Coast Guard Station-Fire Island where he was treated by a Coast Guard medic and then transported by West Islip Fire Department ambulance to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip.”
Speaking as he returned to his home, Ho told the New York Post: “I’m fine right now; hospital was very good. I feel as strong as I normally am: recovered.
“I just want to get myself together, take a shower. I’m home, I’m just trying to process everything.”
Ho’s neighbour, Victor Tolentino, said Ho is a “very colourful guy, real fun”. He told The Post: “One time he wanted to be a dancer, he tried dancing…he’s always into something wild. He’s just a funny guy.”
