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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lost divers 'should pay rescue' | Lost divers 'should pay rescue' |
| (1 day later) | |
| Australian authorities have suggested that two foreign divers rescued after 18 hours in the sea should pay towards the cost of saving them. | Australian authorities have suggested that two foreign divers rescued after 18 hours in the sea should pay towards the cost of saving them. |
| Briton Richard Neely, 38, and American Allison Dalton, 40, were separated from their boat on the Great Barrier Reef. | Briton Richard Neely, 38, and American Allison Dalton, 40, were separated from their boat on the Great Barrier Reef. |
| The rescue operation off the coast of Queensland involved seven helicopters, three planes and six boats. | The rescue operation off the coast of Queensland involved seven helicopters, three planes and six boats. |
| State premier Anna Bligh suggested Mr Neely foot some of the bill after he sold his story to a UK Sunday tabloid. | State premier Anna Bligh suggested Mr Neely foot some of the bill after he sold his story to a UK Sunday tabloid. |
| 'Don't mention sharks' | 'Don't mention sharks' |
| The divers became lost on Friday when they resurfaced 200 metres from their dive boat after exploring a reef. | The divers became lost on Friday when they resurfaced 200 metres from their dive boat after exploring a reef. |
| But they were not seen by crew or other divers on the boat and a strong current carried them away. | But they were not seen by crew or other divers on the boat and a strong current carried them away. |
| Rescue crews find the divers | Rescue crews find the divers |
| At one stage a venomous snake reared in Ms Dalton's face, and they feared they would be attacked by sharks. | At one stage a venomous snake reared in Ms Dalton's face, and they feared they would be attacked by sharks. |
| "I truly thought we were going to die. Sharks were on our mind the entire time - but neither of us mentioned the 'S' word," Mr Neely, of Swaffham, Norfolk, told the Sunday Mirror. | "I truly thought we were going to die. Sharks were on our mind the entire time - but neither of us mentioned the 'S' word," Mr Neely, of Swaffham, Norfolk, told the Sunday Mirror. |
| "We were shouting and whistling but nobody saw us. We saw other divers climbing back on to the boat. The boat stayed where it was, on a mooring, but we just kept drifting further away. There was nothing we could do." | "We were shouting and whistling but nobody saw us. We saw other divers climbing back on to the boat. The boat stayed where it was, on a mooring, but we just kept drifting further away. There was nothing we could do." |
| Insurance | Insurance |
| After the rescue, the couple were flown to hospital where they were in good spirits despite suffering mild hypothermia. | After the rescue, the couple were flown to hospital where they were in good spirits despite suffering mild hypothermia. |
| The couple's only media interview so far has been with the Sunday Mirror, for which they were rumoured to have been paid more than $1m (£533,000). | The couple's only media interview so far has been with the Sunday Mirror, for which they were rumoured to have been paid more than $1m (£533,000). |
| The pair's agent, celebrity publicist Max Markson, said that figure was inflated. He said other interviews with international media were in the works. | The pair's agent, celebrity publicist Max Markson, said that figure was inflated. He said other interviews with international media were in the works. |
| The rumour of large interview fees has sparked calls for the couple to pay towards the cost of their rescue. | The rumour of large interview fees has sparked calls for the couple to pay towards the cost of their rescue. |
| "If they are going to profit from their story I don't think a contribution back would go astray," said Queensland premier Ms Bligh. | "If they are going to profit from their story I don't think a contribution back would go astray," said Queensland premier Ms Bligh. |
| But Mr Markson said the couple's insurance would cover the cost of the rescue. | But Mr Markson said the couple's insurance would cover the cost of the rescue. |