PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand (5 Apr 2006) -- Dive survivor Robert Hewitt is considering international media offers that include turning his three days at sea into a movie. Books and documentaries are also in the pipeline, Mr Hewitt, who continues his recovery at his Palmerston North home, says. Interviews with the press - including a three hour phone call with National Geographic - continue to be fielded by his brother Norm Hewitt as the former Navy diver and the former All Black negotiate their way through a slew of offers. "We're talking about a book to a couple of people. And there's been approaches about a movie from both New Zealand and overseas. My mates are offering to play me already." The press hasn't been all positive. The only time since he was plucked out of the water that he has come close to breaking down emotionally was when talk back host John Banks insinuated the ordeal was a hoax. He said apart from Banks and a few experts querying whether he would have floated north or south from Mana, no one else had questioned his honesty. His recovery has included a session with a psychologist about what happened but there are no nightmares or other frights. Sometimes a whiff of the sea transports him back to the bone-chilling cold of his experience in the water - but he expects to go diving again. "My mum and dad and partner and family will probably want to tie a rope to me - but I have no problems going back. The sea was good to me. I'm alive." Having spent nearly 20 years in the water as a diving instructor with the navy, Mr Hewitt will continue his career for Manawatu Dive after he gets his Padi ticket. He also plans to learn Te Reo and carving. He also wants to paint with the help of gallery owner Elizabeth Knapp. "I can remember the waves going up above me for two metres or so and then down again. I thought they'd get me. I remember the colour and the shape. I want to get that down." AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Hewitt family moved to Palmerston North a matter of weeks before he went missing on the dive trip. His family was preparing for a body to be returned to them when Robert was found alive. On this rainy Thursday evening when the Manawatu Standard visits, Mr Hewitt's 13-year- old son Casey is heading off to a Palmerston North Boys' High disco - his dad ties his tie. His six-year-old daughter Kiriana shows dad the tooth that has just fallen out. Mr Hewitt has just returned from his last trip to Wellington Hospital where he has been given the all clear medically. The deep cut made in his heel by the wet suit has been the biggest medical worry. Marine bacteria latched on to his achilles, making it vulnerable to snapping. It had to be cleaned of the bacteria and a skin graft from his thigh was needed for it to heal. | | Robert Hewitt Post-graft he had to lie in bed for three days which was the last place he wanted to be after spending days immobilised at sea. The other issue was the amount of sea water in his body. It worked its way in through wetsuit and skin, eventually taking over 75 per cent of the water in his system. On its way out it formed hundreds of pustules on his front and back which had to be "lanced and sliced", to prevent them becoming boils. Although the wetsuit didn't restrict his blood supply, and his vital organs have not been damaged by dehydration, his body was on the verge of "decomposing from the inside" he says. Mr Hewitt lost 8.5 kgs while afloat and after the water had got through the fat, it starting to eat away his muscle. His calves were completely deflated. In recovery, sunburn has been taken care of with aloe vera plant jel and Bio-Oil - "a mothers' trick once again, usually used for stretch marks" - being applied to the scars. His parents described his appearance after this wet suit was peeled off as being "like pickled pork". "I was like a bit of meat in brine." The fame that has followed Mr Hewitt out of the water doesn't faze him. For years he was known as Norm Hewitt's brother. "It's not new in that way. It's not a problem." It's the same situation for his parents, though Mr Hewitt says they do wonder why, after going through the ups and downs of Norm Hewitt's career, they now have been through another ordeal. Mr Hewitt, 38, has just a month to go in the Navy before venturing onto civvy street. He says he is grateful to his new hometown of Palmerston North whose people have been supportive of his family. "We were newcomers and they looked after us. The New Zealand Army has been great, the people at Linton, their support of a fellow soldier. Manawatu Dive - they were really cut up they had to leave a fellow diver behind. All the people of Palmerston North ... just thanks." SOURCE - Stuff |
