Hungarian man in NI hospital after bid to swim North Channel

A HUNGARIAN swimmer is recovering in the Ulster Hospital after failing in his bid to finish a race through one of the world’s most dangerous stretches of water.

Attila Manyoki was attempting to complete part of the Oceans Seven challenge across the North Channel between Donaghadee, south of Belfast Lough, and Portpatrick in Scotland.

It is regarded as one of the most difficult swimming challenges in the world because of changeable weather, jellyfish and low temperatures.

Stretching 18.6 nautical miles — 21.4 normal miles — swimmers are required to make it through tough qualifying swims to ensure they are prepared for the challenge.

Attila, who is from Budapest, had to be pulled out of the water after suffering from hypothermia, jellyfish stings and breathing difficulties.

He was then brought to the Ulster Hospital for treatment.

Consultant Dr Bob Darling said he had made excellent progress but warned him to forget about returning to extreme challenges any time soon.

“Attila was in very poor condition,” he said.

“However, he is not an average

Attila Manyoki and his partner Monika Pais in the Ulster Hospital

guy, he is very strong and fit and is making a remarkable recovery.

“However it may be some time before he is fit for further extreme sports.”

Attila’s partner Monika Pais, who has been by his bedside, praised the staff in the Ulster Hospital’s intensive care unit.

“I was so relieved that he was given such wonderful care,” she said.

“I have watched the staff every

day and they are so professional and caring. The Ulster Hospital should be very proud of them.”

The 43-year-old has previously tackled some of the world’s toughest swimming challenges, including the English Channel in 2013 and the Tsugaru Strait in Japan the year after.

Had he completed the swim across the North Channel, he would have become only the seventh person to do so.