Dear Scott
I would like to share my NDE with you and anybody else who may be interested. My name is Kevin John Greenwood I live in Basildon, Essex, England.
On the 30th November 1984, myself and three mates went fishing on a small boat in the river Thames Estuary. It was extremely cold on that particular day. At approximately 3.30pm, myself and one of my mates (Clive Merton) decided to call it a day (we had been fishing since 7.00am) and pull in our fishing rods. All four of us thought it was time to head for home. Clive and I carefully walked up the deck to retrieve the fishing rods. This done, we slowly made our way back to the cabin. Suddenly Clive slipped on the icy deck, he grabbed hold of me - I thought he was joking for a moment, but as we fell of the side of the boat I realised the full implication of what was happening.
What seemed like an age passed (in fact only a spit second) and it took all I had in me to gain control of my senses. This done, I realised because of the water current we were drifting very rapidly away from the boat. Darkness was imminent and my mate Clive (who could not swim) was in a state of shear panic. I tried to hold on to him and calm him, but by now he was completely freaked out - he struggled free, not entirely to my dismay as by now self preservation was in charge. Bless his soul I hope he did not suffer to much. Because of my experience with the sea and water (I was in the merchant navy for 7 years), and being a strong swimmer, I mentally prepared myself for some heavy shit. Staying as calm as possible, I started treading water and steadied my breathing - thinking all the time, I will be saved! I had seen the distress flair go up by one of the other guys on our boat.
After drifting for 15-20 mins, I realised that my location was rapidly changing due to the under water currents and the shit I was in was getting very deep indeed. It was, by now, nightfall and getting extremely dark, I could see lights on both shores as I spun and turned in the water. I seemed to slow down slightly realising that the tide was turning around. This was about 1 hour after falling in - I was completely disoriented and I knew that although help was probably searching for us hypothermia was my biggest threat. So I continued to tread water to generate heat - I also knew it would be a miracle if I lasted more than 1-2 hours in that temperature. A large ship moved past me, some 3-400m away and I shouted for help with everything I had in me - but to no avail. At this point I knew the ship was not going to help or stop. I was thankful its rudder had not sucked me in - I started to cry, I can't quite recall what I was saying to myself, but it was along the lines of "please God, don't let me die, I want to see my Mum and I have got such a lot to do before I go". Then, I went very quiet and serious, slowed my breathing once more and prepared myself for what I thought was inevitably the end. I closed my eyes and after a short while, I started to feel warm and a distant light appeared in my minds eye. This light got slowly bigger and stronger and I began to feel really warm, almost hot. As the light advanced, I let it engulf me with its radiance and felt the feeling of upliftment. I felt no fear, pain or cold. It was very nice, safe and beautiful. At the split second that I was about to enter the white light, something inside me opened my eyes and shouted "NO! not yet! You have things to do". A few moments after the light had gone, a rescue helicopter with search light spotted and focused on me. A small dinghy with a father and son was nearby and urged me to keep shouting so they could pinpoint me - this they did. To cut my story short, they proceeded to help me on board and headed for shore. An ambulance at shoreside took me to a hospital, 15 minutes drive away. I noticed the time, it was 9.30pm. I am extremely grateful to who or whatever saved me, but I am very puzzled by the time-gap. It is as if I lost 2-3 hours, could anybody help me find them?
The event took me a long time to overcome, but since it happened, I have been slowly drawn to all aspects of spiritual matters and would be very interested if anybody could shed some more light on what may or may not have occurred that night. My friend, Clive Merton, perished - but I still feel he is with me at times. Also, if I can help anybody out there with any of my limited knowledge, please do not hesitate to contact me.
With thanks
Kevin Greenwood