“So Grateful to Be Able to Recommence My Life Again”: 61-Year-Old Former Football Star Cheated Death Following a Disastrous Surfing Accident in 2022

The sport of surfing welcomes everyone who seeks solace on the pinnacles of giant waves. But, when it comes to dangers that reside deep within the ocean’s infinity, all bets are off. From sharp reefs to man-eating predators, the sea harbors every ferocity that can potentially bend a few backs, break a few bones, and even kill wave paddlers. Likewise, the Australian football star, John Annear once fell prey to the piercing reefs and almost lost his life in the ocean’s immensity.

John Annear is a former Collingwood, Richmond, and West Coast Eagles AFL player who is recognized as one of the prominent football prodigies in Australia. Known for his meticulous persona, Annear is regarded as the fitness icon even at the age of 61. Last year, the AFL legend voyaged to Cocos Keeling Island to surf on the big barrels. While paddling onto the big waves, Annear got brutally hit by whetted reef and was knocked unconscious. Fortunately, the footballer got rescued by his friends and carried back to the safety of the shore. 

John Annear cheated death and feels grateful to be alive

As per the report of the Daily Mail, after hitting the reef surface in a face-down position, the Australian was left with a broken nose and ribs. Nevertheless, as he was rendered unconscious, his lungs were filled with saltwater. One of his acquaintances present on the spot stated, “We thought he was dead. There was no signs, no respiratory effort, nothing”.

However, the AFL star’s longboard helped his peers to create a makeshift platform to perform CPR. Annear’s pulse got picked up after a while and he was taken to Royal Perth Hospital. Following his treatment, the footballer expressed his gratitude and asserted, “I’m just so grateful because it may not have turned out this way”. Annear further mentioned, “So grateful to be able to recommence my life again”.

Read More: “It Humbled Me a Lot”: Big Wave Surfing Legend Opened Up on Her Coping Mechanism Following a Brutal Wipeout in 2013

Clearly, it was one vicious surfing accident. Nevertheless, Annear’s fit persona also played a vital role in his rescue.

John Annear’s fit physique saved his life from a ravening surfing mishap

Because of Annear’s robust persona, it was easier for his surfing peers to take him to the shore. One of his friends conceded, “An unfit person would have run out of puff”. While performing resuscitation, Annear’s peers kept “talking to him the whole way telling him to take big breaths and to think” of his wife and children.

Nevertheless, he was then immediately taken to the hospital and discharged after two weeks of treatment. Clearly, his fitness helped his friends immensely to save him from the accident. It indeed was a life-threatening accident, don’t you think?

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