In this week's episode of Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen tell the extraordinary story of Poon Lim—a Chinese sailor who survived 133 days alone on a life raft in the Atlantic Ocean, the longest solo life raft survival ever recorded.

When a German U-boat torpedoes the SS Ben Lomond in 1942, Poon Lim becomes the ship's sole survivor. Adrift with minimal supplies, he battles dehydration, starvation, and despair. Using nothing but his wits and will to live, he catches fish with makeshift hooks, snares seabirds, collects rainwater, and even kills a shark with his bare hands.

Discover how Poon Lim endured repeated near-rescues, brutal sun exposure, and complete isolation—and what it truly takes to survive when hope seems impossible.

00:00 Introduction
00:47 Meet the Hosts
01:11 Setting the Scene: Poon Lim's Ordeal Begins
02:39 The Sinking of SS Ben Lamond
06:18 Surviving the Open Ocean
09:39 Crafting a Survival Strategy
11:32 Near Rescues and Psychological Strain
17:08 Storms and Setbacks
18:48 Desperation and Determination
19:49 The Struggle for Survival
20:25 Desperation and Hard Measures
21:26 Sharks: A New Challenge
22:19 Catching a Shark
26:03 The Mental and Physical Toll
27:02 Near Rescue and Renewed Determination
29:19 Final Rescue and Recovery
34:57 Post-War Life and Legacy
37:39 Podcast Outro and Listener Engagement

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SOURCES

1. Wikipedia: "Poon Lim"
2. Wikipedia: "SS Benlomond (1922)"
3. War History Online: "Mess Steward Poon Lim Survived 133 Days Lost At Sea"
4. History Defined: "Surviving 133 Days at Sea: The Remarkable Life of Poon Lim"
5. Outdoor Revival: "Adrift - Poon Lim survived 133 days at sea on a wooden raft"
6. Factinate: "The Unbelievable Survival Story Of Poon Lim"
7. Today I Found Out: "The Man on the Raft: The Story of Poon Lim"
8. RECOIL OFFGRID: "Survival at Sea"
9. Ships Nostalgia: "Benlomond survivor WWII"

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In the summer of 1960, seven-year-old Roger Woodward was just a kid looking forward to a boat ride on the Niagara River to celebrate his sister's birthday—he had no idea he was about to experience something that should have been impossible. When a simple mechanical failure turned their peaceful afternoon into a nightmare, Roger found himself being swept toward the edge of Niagara Falls, powerless against 750,000 gallons of water rushing past him every second. What followed was a series of moments so improbable, so perfectly timed, that witnesses called it a miracle—from his sister's desperate fight for survival just feet from the brink, to Roger's own journey over a 188-foot waterfall. This is the story of the boy who fell into Niagara Falls and lived, and the ordinary people who became heroes in the most extraordinary circumstances.

00:00 Introduction to The Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Listener's Suggestion: Roger Woodward's Story
01:23 Niagara Falls: A Natural Wonder
02:34 The Fateful Boat Ride
05:49 The Upper Niagara River: A Deceptive Calm
06:47 The Point of No Return
12:06 The Rapids: A Fight for Survival
16:52 Deanne's Rescue
21:23 Roger's Ordeal in the Rapids
22:34 The Calm Before the Plunge
22:53 Facing the Abyss
24:34 Over the Edge
25:07 Rescue by the Maid of the Mist
27:41 Miraculous Survival
29:58 The Aftermath and Media Frenzy
36:17 A Life Beyond the Falls
40:02 Reflecting on Survival and Legacy
42:25 Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement

Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast

Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

REFERENCES & SOURCES

• "Bonus Episode: The Boy Who Went Over the Falls," Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe podcast, August 16, 2024
• 30th anniversary speech at Glengate Alliance Church, 1990
• "50 years later, survivor recalls accidental plunge over Niagara Falls," Deseret News, July 17, 2010
• "Sean Kirst: Survivor of plunge over Niagara at age 7 recalls terror at the brink," Buffalo News, July 13, 2019
• "'Miracle at Niagara' — 50 years later," Lockport Journal, July 2, 2010
• "Alabama man recalls fall over Niagara Falls 50 years ago," Rapid City Journal, 2010
• "Miracle At Niagara Falls: The Roger Woodward Story," B&B Niagara, July 30, 2017
• "Miracle At Niagara -- 7-Year-Old Survived A Plunge Over The Falls," The Seattle Times, November 26, 1998
• "Roger Woodward - Niagara Falls Miracle, Incidents, Survivor, Story," InfoNiagara.com
• "History of Niagara Falls Daredevils - Roger Woodward," NiagaraFallsInfo.com, February 8, 2017
• "The 7-year-old who survived going over Niagara Falls," INniagararegion, March 31, 2023
• "7-Year-Old Boy Survives Plunge Over Niagara Falls," Go Niagara Tours, July 31, 2025
• "Amazing Story of a Seven-Year-Old who Survived Niagara Falls," The Vintage News, August 11, 2018
• "Roger Woodward and Psalm 139," Words of Hope, April 19, 2021
• "Niagara," The History Channel documentary, 1999
• "Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic," IMAX film

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In this episode of Disaster Strikes on the Crux Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh explore the tragic story of Audrey Mestre, a world record freediver whose attempt ended in her untimely death on October 12, 2002. Audrey, a talented marine biologist and wife of famed freediver Francisco 'Pipin' Ferreras, attempted a No Limits dive to 171 meters off the coast of the Dominican Republic but never resurfaced alive. The episode delves into the mysteries surrounding her death, the possible negligence involved, and the ongoing controversy that has gripped the freediving community for over two decades. Featuring insights into the unique physiological demands of freediving, the mechanics of No Limits dives, and the subsequent safety improvements inspired by this tragedy, the discussion also touches on the fictionalized representation of her death in the 2022 Netflix film 'No Limit' and Pipin's subsequent defamation lawsuit. Audrey Mestre's story is a poignant reminder of the thin line between triumph and tragedy in extreme sports

Primary References

Books:

1. Serra, Carlos. The Last Attempt: The True Story of Freediving Champion Audrey Mestre and the Mystery of Her Death. Xlibris Corp, 2006. ISBN: 9781425738396.
   • Critical investigation by Pipin's former business partner alleging negligence

1. Ferreras, Francisco "Pipin" with Linda Robertson. The Dive: A Story of Love and Obsession. HarperCollins, 2004. ISBN: 9780060779528.

1. • Pipin's account of his relationship with Audrey and her death

Magazine Articles:

1. Smith, Gary. "Rapture of the Deep." Sports Illustrated, June 16, 2003.

1. • Comprehensive feature article on Audrey and Pipin's story

Documentaries:

1. Ellwood, Alison (Director). No Limits. ESPN Films, Nine for IX series, July 23, 2013.

1. • Documentary examining the circumstances of Audrey's death

1. Rosenthal, David M. (Director). No Limit (Sous Emprise). Netflix, September 2022.

1. • Fictionalized French film inspired by the story (subject of Pipin's lawsuit)

Official Reports:

1. International Association of Free Divers (IAFD) / McCoy Report. Investigation into Audrey Mestre's death, October 2002.

1. • Official investigation concluding accidental death

1. Dominican Republic Autopsy Report. Dr. Danyd Moquete Mendez and Dr. Ana Falete Mercedes, October 13, 2002.

1. • Official cause of death: asphyxia by submersion (accidental)

Legal Documents:

1. Ferreras v. Netflix et al. Superior Court of LA County, California, filed March 29, 2023; dismissed April 9, 2024.

1. • Defamation lawsuit regarding the Netflix film No Limit

Additional Sources:

1. Women Divers Hall of Fame. Audrey Mestre posthumous induction, 2002.
2. DeeperBlue.com - Various articles and community forums on Audrey's death and the freediving community's response

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