Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
This is the moment a swimmer is mown down by a speeding boat as he comes back up for air after diving into a river, miraculously escaping with his life despite suffering serious injuries.
A man swimming in a river is hit by a boat on Monday, July 20, 20206, in Ilha do Combu, Brazil. ***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsx.media/terms-conditions/
The incident happened at Furo Piriquitaquara strait, Combu Island, in Belem, Para state, Brazil, on 20th July.
The man was identified as Elpidio Miranda de Souza Filho, who is seen standing on a wooden pier before jumping into the water as the boat approaches.
A man swimming in a river is hit by a boat on Monday, July 20, 20206, in Ilha do Combu, Brazil. He suffered from injures and was taken to the hospital. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
Footage recorded by people at the scene shows Elpidio disappearing beneath the surface before the speedboat races through the same area and strikes him as he resurfaces.
According to reports, one of the boat’s occupants immediately pulled Elpidio from the water and helped rescue him following the collision.
A man swimming in a river is hit by a boat on Monday, July 20, 20206, in Ilha do Combu, Brazil. He suffered from injures and was taken to the hospital. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
Fast-moving outboard speedboats are powered by exposed propellers spinning at high speed, while the force of a boat’s hull hitting a swimmer can cause devastating injuries.
Elpidio was taken to a hospital in Belem, where he was treated after suffering a fractured rib and a punctured lung that required emergency surgery.
His family later said he was conscious and was not at risk of dying.
The Belem Municipal Health Secretariat (Sesma) said: “The patient underwent surgery and is in a stable condition. He is conscious, breathing on his own without the aid of machines, and all of his vital signs are stable.”
A man dives into a river before he is hit by a boat on Monday, July 20, 20206, in Ilha do Combu, Brazil. He suffered from injures and was taken to the hospital. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
The Brazilian Navy, through the Eastern Amazon Port Authority, said it had not received a formal complaint about the incident but had opened an administrative investigation after reviewing the footage and reports circulating about the case.
The Navy added: “The authority regularly carries out inspection and safety operations across the waterways of Belem and Ilha do Combu, enforcing compliance with navigation safety regulations to help prevent accidents.
“The public is urged to report any navigation offences or water emergencies immediately by calling the emergency number 185.”
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
