Nightmare in the Canary Islands as jet skier spends 38 hours stranded at sea

A man was left stranded at sea in the Canary Islands for 38 hours after his jet ski broke down. Layonel Ramirez Collado, 27, was eventually rescued after spending two nights and one day floating in waters off the coast of Gran Canaria.

His ordeal started on Monday night, when he decided to join some friends on a boat ride. Mr Collado jumped on to a jet ski which was attacjed to the boat. He told his friends he would follow on behind and join them back on shore later for a drink or two.

However, the jet ski broke down and the 27-year-old found himself stuck out at sea with no means of calling for help.

He ended up drifting further out to sea, while his friends waited patiently for him back on land.

When he failed to turn up by 11pm, his friends raised the alarm and a search party was dispatched to look for him. The search was called off after no trace of him could be found, before resuming the next day.

Meanwhile, Mr Collado spent the night and the following day clinging to his jet ski, hoping to be rescued.

After spending another night at sea, he was eventually spotted by a passing aircraft 15 nautical miles (17 miles) southwest of Arguineguín, according to the Spanish maritime rescue service.

Rescuers found him conscious and sitting on his jet ski, dehydrated and suffering from sun burn.

He was transported back to shore by a cargo ship on Wednesday, appearing in "good health" but complaining of "slight chest pain", rescuers said.

The jet skier was taken to San Roque Meloneras Hospital in San Bartolomé de Tirajana for medical checks.

His relieved mother told the daily newspaper Canarias 7: "He held on to the jet ski and that's why he didn't drown."

"He's given me the best gift of my life," she added, while one friend who greeted him at the port when he came ashore said: "Anyone who knows him knows that he's a warrior, a fighter."

His family were critical of the initial response by rescue teams, questioning why the search was called off at night and too close to the shore.