Professor Danny Eckert breaks his silence after he clung to a Spilsby Island ... trends now
A university professor who survived with his young son by clinging to a reef for hours after their fishing boat capsized, killing three people on board, has broken his silence.
Professor Danny Eckert, 44, and his son, 12, were on board the vessel when it was hit by a freak 6.2metre wave about 4pm Monday near Spilsby Island about 40km off the Port Lincoln coast in South Australia.
The others on board - his father Paul Eckert, 73, brother Tom Eckert, 40, and family friend Alan Bottrill, 71 - sadly died.
Family members raised the alarm about 8.30pm after the boat did not return to Port Lincoln, sparking a search and rescue operation that found the upturned boat and winched Prof Eckert and his son to safety at 2am.
'I wish to express my immense gratitude to the emergency responders and everyone who helped with the search and rescue efforts,' Prof Eckert said in a statement provided to the Adelaide Advertiser.
'My heartfelt thanks go to the medical staff at the Port ]Lincoln and Women's and Children's Hospitals, who have provided us with outstanding care and support.
Professor Danny Eckert (pictured) and his 12-year-old son were found with non-life threatening injuries having clung to a reef off Spilsby Island for about 10 hours
The group were fishing near Spilsby Island off the coast of Port Lincoln, SA
'I extend our sincerest appreciation to everyone including the whole Port Lincoln community who have offered their help, thoughts, and prayers.'
Prof Eckert added that it was an 'unimaginably difficult time' but found comfort in the kindness friends and locals had shown.
Prof Eckert's neighbour in Torrens Park, Adelaide, Noela Krahn, 74, said she believed he would have been holding onto his son as the pair clung to the reef in the freezing water during the night.
'He loved that boy like you wouldn't believe ... (he) would have made sure that the boy was safe,' she said.
Tess Eckert, the wife of Tom, also spoke to the media and shared her gratitude to those who helped in the search.
The couple share two young boys, aged four and six.
'Tom was an amazing husband, father, and best friend to so many,' she said.
She added that their boys would also miss their 'Grandpapa' and shared her support for the Botterill family who she
