Tourist survives two days lost at sea by eating boiled lollies

Tourist survives two days lost at sea by eating boiled lollies
By Alexandra Coulton


A tourist from New Zealand has survived two days lost at sea in a dinghy after drifting more than 160 kilometres across the Aegean.

Kushila Stein went missing on Friday off the Greek island of Folegandros when she was blown off course while paddling back to a chartered yacht she was reportedly helping a British man sail from Turkey to Athens.

She was rescued 101km north of Crete on Monday and was taken to Harakleion hospital to recover overnight.

The BBC reports the 45-year-old woman was an experienced sailor and put a red bag on her head as well as using a mirror to attract attention.

Stein’s mother told Stuff that her daughter decided to “stretch her legs” and sail the dinghy to the island of Folegandros, but on her way back to the yacht, one of her oars fell overboard and a strong wind blew her out to sea.

When she failed to return to the yacht the next day, the owner reported her missing to Greek Authorities on Saturday morning and a search and rescue operation including six vessels, a helicopter and underwater drones was launched.

Recalling survival skills she learned as an offshore sailor, Stein wrapped herself in plastic bags for warmth and rationed a handful of boiled lollies she had in her day pack, Stuff reported.

She also wrote her mother’s name and contact details on the side of the dinghy in case she did not survive.

Featured image source: Stuff via Hellenic Coast Guard

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