12 January 2023 , 14:52
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A couple were miraculously rescued as they treaded water three days after being swept out to sea.
Benjamin Ng and partner Pei got caught in a rip tide as they paddle-boarded round North West Island, near Central Queensland, Australia.
Both in their 40s, they were saved after being swept 55km away from the coast on Monday night.
The couple reportedly saw four vessels go past who missed their help cries until fisherman Lorne Benussi and his father Dennis came to their aid.
The rescuers were on a fishing trip near Curtis Island and were preparing to turn in for the night when the couple's desperate cries for help were heard after 10pm.
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Rescuer Lorne Benussi was anchored at a sandbar at Yellow Patch when he heard the cries for help (Supplied/Lorne Benussi)The father and son, got into a smaller boat and rushed out to retrieve the young couple who were treading water after losing heir paddleboards in stormy seas.
After boarding the larger vessel on their return they had hot shower, some food and water before resting in the in the cabin.
The exhausted pair were quickly sound asleep after 48 hours desperately trying to stay alive.
Mr Benussi said: "The poor b*****rs had no energy, they were completely exhausted. They couldn't even sit up."
An aerial view of North West Island at Capricornia Cays National Park in Australia (Getty Images/iStockphoto)He added the couple were "absolutely b*****ed" and nearly went under the water when they pulled them aboard the dinghy.
They had drifted past four boats and the Benussi's was their last.
The pair were speechless but grateful to be saved.
The man did not respond as well as his partner and had barely eaten anything and only drank water, half of which he threw up.
According to Benussi, the couple spent the night drinking water and suffering from cramp caused by dehydration and swallowing too much salt water.
The couple arrived at North West Island, which has no power and limited amenities using Curtis Ferry Services for a three-night camping trip.
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Mr Benussi and his dad, Denis Benussi, faced challenging weather after getting the couple onto the 10-metre boat (Supplied/Lorne Benussi)No-one is thought to have called called police to report them vanishing and they were not expected to return until Tuesday.
Mr Benussi said they "weren't going to last much longer" and "no one would've found them."
The couple were taken back to shore the following morning and taken by ambulance to Capricorn Coast Hospital where they are said to be in a stable condition.