Father of surfer thanks rescuers for saving son
THE family of a rescued surfer said finding out he was alive was better than winning the lottery.
Matthew Bryce, 22, was reported missing by family when he failed to return from a Sunday morning surf off the Argyll coast of Scotland.
As reported in home delivery editions of t he Evening Times last night, the 22-year-old was eventually found by a search and rescue helicopter at around 7.30pm on Monday, drifting in the North Channel, 13 miles from Northern Ireland and 16 miles from Scottish shores.
His dad John, from Airdrie, said: “The past 48 hours have been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions for our family and we are so grateful that Matthew has been found safe and well.
“To get that call from the police last night to say that he was alive was unbelievable.
“It was better than a lottery win – you just can’t describe it. Matthew means the world to us. He is such a strong character both mentally and physically and we are looking forward to being reunited with him.
“We’ve managed to speak to him briefly on the phone and he is obviously exhausted after his ordeal, but he is in good spirits and happy to be alive.”
Matthew went missing after he went to West Port Beach near Campbeltown to surf.
He was airlifted to Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, County Down, in Northern Ireland on Monday night.
Both his parents, John and mother Isabella, made their way to Northern Ireland yesterday morning to be by his side.
John added: “Our family cannot thank the Coastguard, RNLI volunteers and police officers involved in finding Matthew enough. I would also like to thank our friends and family as well as the hundreds of people who offered their support on social media.
“We have been overwhelmed by your support and good wishes and we will be forever grateful to every single one of you.”
From his hospital bed, Matthew thanked the “heroes” who rescued him and who have been looking after him during his ongoing recovery.
He said: “I am so grateful that I am now receiving treatment in hospital. I cannot thank those enough who rescued and cared for me, they are all heroes.”