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Japan tsunami survivor Hiromitsu Shinkawa found 10 miles out at sea
The Guardian UK ^ | 3/13/2011 | Justin McCurry

Posted on 03/13/2011 9:01:55 AM PDT by GVnana

Tsunami victim Hiromitsu Shinkawa, 65, waves to rescuers who spotted him floating on the roof of his home nearly 10 miles out to sea. Photograph: AP

A 65-year-old man has been found on the roof of his floating house nearly 10 miles out at sea, two days after the tsunami that devastated the north-east coast of Japan.

Hiromitsu Shinkawa must have resigned himself to his fate when he was swept away by the retreating tsunami that roared ashore in his home town of Minami Soma in Fukushima prefecture.

As the wave approached, Shinkawa took the fateful decision to return home to collect belongings. Minutes later he was out at sea clinging to a piece of the roof from his own home.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 1luckyperson; earthquake; japan; nevergoback; survivor; tsunami
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

condolences on the loss of your dear friend. Sounds like he was a very special and good person.


41 posted on 03/13/2011 10:21:55 AM PDT by 4integrity
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To: the invisib1e hand
"....how someone bothered to snap a picture before reeling him in."

He was picked up by a JASDF patrol boat, who lowered a motor whaleboat to transfer him to the larger boat.

Lots of cellphone cameras on board.

Ever seen a Jap tourist??? They take pictures of EVERYTHING.

42 posted on 03/13/2011 10:25:19 AM PDT by diogenes ghost
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To: Farmer Dean

I don’t even want to think about what he may have witnessed.


43 posted on 03/13/2011 10:34:15 AM PDT by tsowellfan
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To: GVnana
They were just talking about this on NHK Tokyo Live TV english.
44 posted on 03/13/2011 10:36:07 AM PDT by tsowellfan
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To: diogenes ghost

10 miles out...and take a look at all that debris....I sure hope most people got out of their houses before the water hit.


45 posted on 03/13/2011 10:38:26 AM PDT by spokeshave (WTF....the only thing 0bambi's investments will get us is a bullet train to bankruptcy.)
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

Thanks for sharing that with us....good friends are priceless as you just stated. Awesome lifes journey Ted had.

You stay safe my friend....


46 posted on 03/13/2011 10:46:43 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet)
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

incredible story. Glad you are here to tell it.


47 posted on 03/13/2011 10:46:59 AM PDT by squarebarb
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To: bgill

On the other hand, going back to the house may have saved his life. If he was out in the open, he would have been killed immediately. Being in the house apparently gave him protection from the initial surge and then gave him a raft to cling to.


48 posted on 03/13/2011 10:54:08 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: GVnana

Surreal


49 posted on 03/13/2011 11:11:33 AM PDT by tophat9000 (.............................. BP + BO = BS ...........................Formula for a disaster...)
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To: JoeProBono

What a fortunate man.

Just look at that debris 10 miles out! If you weren’t told, you’d think that was a couple hundred yards offshore, but not 10 miles. That is incredible.


50 posted on 03/13/2011 11:58:45 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: GVnana
A 65-year-old man has been found on the roof of his floating house nearly 10 miles out at sea,

If he does the media circuit; I bet someone in our press will refer to him as "Roof Man". - Tom

51 posted on 03/13/2011 3:43:09 PM PDT by Capt. Tom
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