KUALA TERENGGANU, May 19 — A Thai fisherman was rescued by a Malaysian oil rig worker following a seven-hour swim after falling off a boat early on Saturday morning.

The man fell into the water around 130 kilometres off the coast of Kuala Terengganu in northern Malaysia.

The victim, identified as Tok Saphon Samechit, 32, is believed to have fallen overboard at about 4am while relieving himself over the side of the boat

The fisherman then swam for seven hours towards an oil rig after seeing the light in the distance.

After arriving at the rig, he screamed for help before falling asleep due to fatigue. An oil rig worker found him in a weakened state at approximately 4.15pm on Saturday.

The fisherman was taken ashore by the Malaysian coast guard and sent to a local hospital for treatment. — Reuters

A Thai fisherman was rescued off the coast of Kuala Terengganu after falling overboard and swimming for seven hours. — Reuters pic