Dead Sea “Saves” Boy

Helicopters and light aircraft spent the next five hours or so scanning the sea for the boy as darkness fell. Flares were used in the effort in which police, soldiers, and rescue workers took part. At about midnight, Friedman was found bobbing in the water about 1.5 miles [2.4 kilometers] from where he had entered the sea. Famous for the way it keeps people afloat due to its extremely high mineral content, the Dead Sea had kept the child from drowning when strong winds that often blow up in the late afternoon pushed him out to sea.

Although exhausted, the boy was said to be in good shape. He told his rescuers he recited psalms and contemplated swimming to the distant mountains. He said he had known not to put his head under the salt water, which can severely burn the eyes and mouth and may prove fatal if swallowed.

By Stan Goodenough, www.jnewswire.com