Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

American Left Behind on Snorkeling Trip in Australia

Details

  • Description

    Ian Cole on his experience of being left out at sea

  • Duration 4:02
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

This is an amazing story this man almost drowned in the middle of the ocean because somebody couldn't count.

American Ian Cole on a dream vacation to Australia back quickly became a nightmare when his tour boat left him behind on -- snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

A mistake and headcount let you know alone in the shark infested waters with only one option for survival.

He called joins me now on the phone from Australia good to speak with you Ian I'm glad your still with us.

I think you bet me that boy -- look I guess that if you guys.

Exactly so a -- -- to this snorkeling trip that you go on -- diving trip.

You were under water and you came up and went to see.

Yeah yeah allegations public today and it was the second part of the we well -- -- in the expected time.

And well about there and paid for -- -- total in western and make -- way back you know struggling you're looking down in you know put forward.

There but I went my way -- people water over the boat was that I -- Pop had not been bothered by boat gone.

And I can't imagine the panic.

It goes through your body at this point in time because you are in shark infested waters right.

That that that was that was part because you know I guess there had been a lot of current number of dollars and but it's heat and not let the panicked and went in that situation -- -- poses at the worst thing that can happen.

So you just happen to see another boat nearby how do you get their attention.

-- -- there was another best on the city and it's -- candidate -- -- -- you know of but the wondered what are caused panic inside and I and recover -- that.

-- make my way over to the other about.

And you were able to get on board and and save your life now it's my understanding that Australian dive operators must comply with this strict head kind -- rules.

Following the 1998 disappearance of a US couple they were never found.

So what did the tour operator tell you.

Yeah he has spoken to get branded video the company and they.

There's but haven't manifested that number what is that the I was but haven't seen and actually going in on board but there was no -- -- -- -- -- -- The person that did the headcount Quebec city.

Spend spend lose not -- audit is Syria.

So now it would it not native English speaker you know he'd been with the company left the -- but it's awkward experience.

The -- set those that are not are.

I.

And -- you did get a letter of apology from this company and I understand some sort of a food voucher I wanna read a portion of this it says please accept this letter is an apology for your unpleasant experience.

On -- our vessel and then it goes on to say that we hope you still had some great memories of the region as a gesture of goodwill we'd like to offer you.

Dinner for two -- the -- house for 200 bucks.

Ian what did you make of this voucher an apology letter.

The bit of -- but the base.

I spoke to be on Monday and -- requested that the letter of the policy.

But don't believe they could -- I want them -- -- -- that's what happened.

Now we want them to include deep note on -- -- -- procedure.

Though a lot of features that's what -- -- but that was you know belief that it if there be to tourists.

Right and that -- an apartment so the tourism department actually is downplaying this for obvious reasons and because tourism a huge business especially at the Great Barrier Reef.

-- and in conclusion.

What would have happened to you if you hadn't been able to see that and about.

-- do you know predict -- like that but.

It's like a dozen people water and I would add to find back to do the read or -- -- -- -- I was able the hold on but.

Outside you know I I -- went -- -- Ian Cole.

Coming home to the United States for the July 4 weekend -- you have a safe trip and we're glad that you made it out of this panic -- at this thanks so much they.

Load More