They were lost at sea for 55 hours, but yesterday afternoon, three of the lost divers were found alive. The survivors are 34-year-old Japanese national Yutaka Maeda and Americans 38-year-old Nancy Masters and 50-year-old John Bain. 28-year-old Abigale Brinkman a medical student who did not have a wet suit, didn't make it. The divers were spotted by a BDF aerial search team about 23 miles southeast of Glover's Reef Atoll.
We will hear firsthand from the BDF pilots about their dramatic rescue in a few but first...tonight the three survivors are listed in critical but stable condition at the Universal Health Hospital in the city. They were airlifted by helicopter from Southwest Caye to Universal's Helipad where they were admitted into the intensive care unit. Universal's Dr. Victor Lizarraga attended to all three and he says that the divers are well on the way to recovery.
Dr. Victor Lizarraga, Universal Health Services
"They arrived in pretty bad shape. They were very dehydrated, hypothermic, badly sun burnt, and one was semi-conscious. They were brought directly to our emergency room where we started resuscitating measures. The most important thing was dehydration and hypothermia along with metabolic abnormalities because of drinking of sea water. They were severely burnt. They are clear skinned people and they had stayed in the water so especially the upper part of the body was damaged and at least one of them was exposed to bites from little jellyfish in the water. Today they are not as critical as yesterday, they are getting better, and they will do very well."
Keith Swift,
How longer would they have been able to survive out there?
Dr. Victor Lizarraga,
"Well I'll tell you they did very well to survive for two days, especially since the weather is pretty chilly right now with Wilma passing and so on. The waters would have cooled off tremendously so they are pretty tough."
Keith Swift,
How lucky are these people to be alive?
Dr. Victor Lizarraga,
"Very lucky, very lucky. They are lucky to have been found. They couldn't have lasted another day. Kudos to the BDF."
Abigale Brinkman was taken to the KHMH for a post mortem. Police note that bruises were found around her neck.
