A former Premier League star was saved by surfers after he found himself in difficulty in the sea – with one admitting “it’s a miracle they’re alive”
Ex-Manchester City star Martin Demichelis and his children had to be rescued by surfers after getting into difficulties during a holiday dip in the sea.
Footage of the former footballer-turned-manager and his kids being saved has gone viral in Argentina and neighbouring Uruguay where locals are saying it is “a miracle” the drama didn’t end in tragedy.
A strong current is said to have taken Demichelis and the youngsters, Bastian, 16; Lola, 12; and Emma, eight, away from the coast in an area where there is no lifeguard service. The former Argentinian international’s niece Camila was also caught up in the drama which happened near the upmarket Uruguayan Atlantic resort of Punta del Este.
The men who saved them have been described locally as lifeguards who had decided to go surfing during a break in their working day. The footage showed Demichelis’ kids grabbing onto a surfboard and being pulled back towards the shoreline as waves crashed down on them, and other locals going to their aid as they neared the sand.
The footballer appeared to be pushing the surfboard from behind as the youngsters rode on top of it, and applause could be heard ringing out from the shoreline as the successful rescue was completed.
One unconfirmed report said the footballer, who seemed to be remonstrating with his children after they made it back to the sand, had gone into the water to aid them when he saw them in difficulties before other help arrived.
Uruguayan journalist Gustavo Descalzi told Argentinian TV programme A la Tarde: “It’s a miracle they’re alive. The place where this occurred is called Eden Rock near to a place known as San Vicente near to a home they rented.
“It’s not that swimming is banned there but the nearest lifeguard service is around a kilometre away. The reason I say it’s a miracle they’re alive is that this incident happened during a lifeguard change-over and two went to have something to eat and went for a stroll up the beach and that’s when they heard screaming.”
He added: “I live near the spot where this happened and it’s a very dangerous area to go swimming. The water’s very deep and there are strong currents that take you away from the shoreline.”
Martin’s estranged wife Evangelina Anderson is understood to have been informed about the drama.
Demichelis, who penned a two-year contract with Manchester City for a reported £4.2 million on September 1 2013 and ended up staying with the club until June 10 2016, has yet to make any official comment on his social media.
The drama occurred on December 31 but news of the scare and the footage of the rescue has only just come to light.