26Tongan Castaways Island Commune
Six boys, nicknamed the Tongan Castaways, stole a boat and found themselves stranded on a deserted island in 1965. They were stranded there for 15 months before being rescued. In a real-life Lord of the Flies scenario, the boys established a "commune" featuring a garden, permanent fire, gym, and badminton court.
27. In 2022, a 30-year-old was swept by the sea while swimming in Halkidiki, Greece, along with a friend who was never found. He was rescued 20 hours later, holding onto a tiny football ball, 26 kilometers away from the beach they were swept from.
28. In 1942, RMS Laconia was sunk by a German U-boat, prompting rescue operations broadcast on open radio. However, with the deck full of survivors, USAAF bombers mistakenly sank the boat, leading the German navy to abandon further rescue attempts for civilian survivors.
29. In 2009, four prison inmates, incarcerated for various offenses, rescued a correctional officer from another inmate. Despite their criminal backgrounds of assault, armed robbery, home invasion, murder, and sex offenses, they saved the deputy because he treated them like human beings.
30. Richard Norris Williams survived the Titanic sinking but spent too much time in freezing water, leading to a doctor recommending the amputation of both his legs. He refused and went on to win his first tennis tournament, becoming the Wimbledon doubles champion in 1920.
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31'Frostbit Boy' Dolphin Ocean Rescue
A 'Frostbit Boy' was rescued from the ocean in 2021 after being in the water for 12 hours and surrounded by a pod of dolphins.
32. In 2003, two Australian teens spent 22 hours in a tree above rising floodwaters after a crocodile killed their friend. The crocodile then stalked them through the night and most of the morning, until a helicopter rescued them.
33. In 2001, 13-year-old Boy Scout Cody Clawson went missing near Yellowstone Park for over 18 hours. Using his belt buckle to signal planes overhead, he caught the attention of pilot and Hollywood actor Harrison Ford, who rescued him.
34. In 2020, two 16-year-olds got lost in the Canadian wilderness while snowboarding but managed to stay warm by burning their homework. The following day, rescuers saved them, preventing frostbite and sustaining only minor injuries.
35. In 1983, NFL running back Joe Delaney died while attempting to rescue three children from drowning, despite not being able to swim himself.
