Former Manchester City player Martin Demichelis and his children were rescued by surfers after going swimming while on a family holiday. Footage of the footballer-turned-manager and his family being rescued was widely shared in Argentina and Uruguay, with local residents calling it a “miracle” that the incident did not turn into a tragedy.
A powerful current reportedly swept away Demichelis and his children, Bastian, 16. Laura, 12 years old. And 8-year-old Emma was in unmonitored waters, far from shore. The former Argentina international’s niece Camila was also implicated in the incident, which took place near Punta del Este, a luxury resort on Uruguay’s Atlantic Ocean.
Local reports said the rescuers were off-duty lifeguards who happened to be surfing during a break. The video showed Demichelis’ children clinging to their surfboards as they were pulled back onto shore through crashing waves, with additional locals rushing to help as the children approached the beach.
The youngsters could be seen holding on as the soccer players pushed their surfboards from behind, and the spectators on the beach erupted in applause when the rescue was completed successfully.
Unconfirmed accounts suggest that the soccer player appeared to have a good chat with the children after arriving at a safe location, but noticed that the children were struggling and went into the water to help them before additional help arrived.
“It’s a miracle they’re alive. The place where the incident happened is called Eden Roc, near the house they were renting, in a place known as San Vicente,” Uruguayan journalist Gustavo Descalzi told Argentine TV show Ala Tarde.
“Swimming is not prohibited there, but the nearest lifeguard service is about a kilometer away. The reason I say it’s a miracle they’re alive is because the incident happened during a lifeguard change and they were walking on the beach to get something to eat when they heard the screams.”
He added: “I live close to where it happened and it’s a very dangerous place to go swimming. The water is very deep and there are strong currents that keep you away from the coastline.”
It is understood that Demichelis’ estranged wife, Evangelina Anderson, was informed of the incident.
Demichelis, who signed a two-year contract with Manchester City in September 2013 for a reported £4.2 million and remained at the club until 10 June 2016, has yet to make an official statement on social media.
The incident occurred on December 31st, but details of the rescue and accompanying footage have only recently emerged.
