Toddler Lost At Sea On A Unicorn Float While On Vacation

There are few things that evoke feelings of a vacation more than a unicorn float. Not for a three-year-old girl vacationing in southern Greece. The toddler was lost at sea in a unicorn float.

Yes, we are talking about this classic holiday companion. 

The child was playing on the beach in the sunny town of Antirrio. She had climbed onto the inflatable unicorn float. Before her parents could react, the wind carried both the toddler and the unicorn float out to sea.

Her father and some members of the public tried to get to her as she drifted out. But the current was too strong and prevented them from reaching her. 

Rescued by passing ferry

Fortunately, Grigoris Karnesis, a veteran Greek ferryboat captain, spotted the toddler lost at sea on the unicorn float. The 50-year-old heard her desperate screams and quickly brought his ferry up close to the float. He had to be careful not to get too close and topple the float, yet close enough to be able to reach the girl.

“There was nothing this child could do,” he told The New York Times. Eventually, his brother and the ship’s mechanic managed to crawl to the edge of the ferry’s ramp and snatch the frightened girl up.

Also read: Greece Officially Reopens Borders to Tourists from 29 Countries!

Blockbuster rescue caught on tape

The dramatic rescue was captured by onlooker Petros Kritsonis, who was also a passenger on the ferry. He uploaded it to Facebook, saying the purpose is to “show the danger of the sea toys we all use extensively”. 

A father of two himself, Captain Karnesis felt he did what he had to do. He added that if he had not returned the girl safely to her parents, he would not have been able to face his own family. The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also called the captain to express his gratitude to the crew for the toddler’s rescue.

Here’s the nail-biting video.

Video credit: Petros Kritsonis