Ordeal of tourist on lilo swept out to sea for 21hrs
A HOLIDAYMAKER has told how she sang songs to survive blistering heat and huge waves after being swept out to sea on a lilo for 21 hours.
Olga Kuldo was carried out by strong currents and the wind after going for an afternoon swim in Crete – where summer temperatures often top 30C (86F).
It was only after a huge rescue operation was mounted that the 55-year- old was finally found at 11.34am the next day.
Describing the moment her ordeal began, the Russian tourist said: ‘I went into the water, lay on my lilo and the next moment the waves carried me away from the shore.
‘I am not a good swimmer, so I just grasped tight to my airbed and thought I would manage to paddle my way to the shore.
‘But instead, the current and the wind carried me further and further away. Then I began to shout and wave, but nobody on the shore noticed.’
Her thoughts turned to her husband Oleg, 59, and daughter Yulia, 28, who were back at the resort of Rethymno unaware that she had gone out for a swim.
As night came down, a storm broke out. ‘The waves were huge and I did my best to hang on to my airbed,’ she said.
‘When the waves calmed, I was tired and feared I could fall asleep. So I sang songs to the birds flying over my head as a way of staying awake.’ She also talked to herself and counted the moves of her arms to stay alert. ‘I did not sleep for second,’ she said. As yachts passed beside her and planes flew overhead, Mrs Kuldo started to fear that no-one would come to save her.
She began to fear she would be attacked by sharks and even considered letting go of the lido – thinking that it would be better to drown than risk being eaten alive.
It was only at 7pm when she failed to return from a spa appointment that her family began to worry. They contacted the emergency services and boats were sent out to look for her. A helicopter was only able to begin its search in the morning.
Panicked, her husband and daughter stalked the beach the following morning, while divers scoured the waves. ‘They were searching for her body,’ admitted Yulia.
By chance, her mother was spotted by a Frontex plane, which monitor the European Union’s borders for illegal immigrants, and a boat was sent to rescue her. She was wrapped in a thermo-blanket and an oxygen blanket was placed on her face. She had suffered hypothermia and dehydration and had been badly burnt by the sun.
‘She was talking to us and was calm,’ said Yulia. ‘She sounded sensible and was even joking – I just did not recognise her.
Her mother was kept in hospital for 24 hours before being discharged. ‘All of us are finally recovering now,’ said Yulia.