A paddleboarder who lost her phone at sea was shocked after it washed up nearly 500 days later, in full working order.
Clare Atfield, 39, dropped her Apple iPhone 8+ off the coast of her hometown of Havant, Hampshire when she fell off her board on August 4 last year.
The phone, which was tucked into a waterproof phone bag, sunk under the waves with Clare presuming she would not see it again.
But incredibly, Clare now has it back.
The phone washed up on nearby Eastney beach totally undamaged, 460 days later on November 7 this year and was picked up by a local dog walker.
He managed to track Clare down and now she has her mobile and precious photos back.
The finder located her using old credit and bank cards which were in the case - with her mum’s contact details on a medical card.
Clare, who had since got a new phone, said: "It's crazy that it still worked, but it works perfectly.
''It had not actually even travelled that far that far strangely.
"I started paddle boarding in April 2021, I would go out before work, so I always kept my phone around my neck. I had been paddle boarding quite far out to sea but I fell off my board.
''I got back on and kept going - but then realised I had lost my phone."
At this point, Clare said she was quite far out at sea. Her phone, which was in a phone protection bag that came with the board, had sunk out of sight, she said.
It was still inside this case when a man located it over a year later, washed up on the beach, while he was walking his dog.
"I had actually also put my bank card and medical card inside the case too, so he was able to track me down and return it after calling a number for my mum on the card," Clare said.
"The gentleman who found it and I were both just in shock that it still worked. I never expected to see it again."
Clare said she "can't believe" it still works.
The back of the phone was completely smashed, but somehow no water had gotten inside.
She added: "It’s mad he managed to find it. Both I and the gentleman who found it were completely in shock.
''I’m stunned more damage wasn’t caused to it, especially how rough the sea can get down there, it’s mad.
''I never thought I would have seen it again, or for it to be working.’'
