In a recent near-death experience, cricket legend Sir Ian Botham narrowly escaped the jaws of crocodiles and sharks, thanks to the quick-thinking of his former Ashes rival, Merv Hughes. The incident unfolded on a four-day fishing expedition in the Northern Territory’s crocodile-infested Moyle River, where the 68-year-old tumbled overboard.
Fall into Danger
While attempting to move from his vessel onto the mothership, Ian Botham’s flip-flops got caught on a rope, causing him to lose his footing and fall into the murky waters below. The Moyle River is notorious for its crocodile and bull shark population, and in that precarious moment, it seemed he might meet a grim fate.
Ian Botham saved by Former Rival Merv Hughes
Merv Hughes, the Australian fast bowler and Botham’s Ashes adversary throughout the 1980s, was nearby and reacted immediately, pulling Botham from the water before any predators could strike. Thanks to Hughes’ fast response, Botham was spared a dangerous encounter with the river’s notorious inhabitants.
Though Botham suffered bruising from the impact, he remains unshaken by the experience. “Luckily I had no time to think about what was in the water,” he said, adding that Hughes and the rest of the rescue team acted “brilliantly” to ensure his safety. “It was just one of those accidents. It was all very quick, and I’m okay now.”
Humorous Take on a Harrowing Ordeal
True to his spirited personality, Botham saw the lighter side of the accident. He quipped, “At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived. I was out of the water quicker than I went in it. Quite a few sets of eyes were having a peep at me.”
Ian Botham lifelong love of Fishing
Ian Botham’s passion for fishing is well-known, a hobby he has long preferred for its solitude and relaxation. In a 2008 interview with The Guardian, he reflected, “More than shooting or golf, fishing is my biggest passion. I need solitude, and fly-fishing offers that. There’s definitely something about rivers, the flow of water, watching on as the day goes by.”
Despite this recent scare, Ian Botham is unlikely to give up his love for fishing in remote and wild locations. For the cricketer, the thrill of the outdoors far outweighs the risk—though his close call with crocodile and shark-infested waters may bring a bit of extra caution on future adventures.
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