Tragedy almost occurred at the Alti Fondali pier in Porto Torres. An elderly man fell into the water hitting his head without being able to get back out. Desperately he called for help without anyone hearing him.

It happened just before 8pm, near the authorized fuel station for boats, while the 80-year-old pensioner was busy cleaning the freshly caught fish.

The man, as mentioned, slipped into the sea and hit his head. He remained in the water for about fifteen minutes screaming for help, then tried to get back on the dock to no avail . At that hour, given the freezing temperatures and strong winds, the port area was deserted.

Fortunately, a passerby finally heard the screams in the distance, saw the man struggling to stay afloat and intervened quickly by picking him up and pulling him to safety. Then he alerted 118 and the police.

Two patrols from the Porto Torres company rushed to the scene, including a military pilot boat, and the Avis ambulance which transported him to the emergency room of the civil hospital in Sassari.

In addition to the head injury, the 80-year-old suffered some abrasions.

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