Kayaker Swallowed by Whale Details Inside of Creature's Mouth
Call him Adrián, who was swallowed by a whale and lived to tell the tale.
Adrián Simancas was kayaking off the coast of southern Chile with his dad Dell Simancas earlier this month when giant humpback whale surfaced and briefly caught him—and his kayak—in its mouth before spitting him out, unharmed. The 24-year-old's father had filmed the incident and the video has gone viral.
In a new interview, Adrián described what it was like being scooped up inside the creature's mouth, nothing that he didn't know at first that it was a whale.
"Suddenly, I felt like, a wave struck me from behind," he told CNN in an interview released Feb. 13. "But it was very, very heavy to be anything like that. So when I turned around, I saw some blue, dark colors and white flashing right through my face and I felt a slimy texture in my cheek. And then it shut down on me and took me underwater."
More from E! Online
How Elon Musk's Daughter Vivian Learned He Fathered More Kids
SNL 50 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Celebrity Arrive (Live Updates)
BAFTA Film Awards 2025: See the Complete Winners List (Live Updates)
Adrián said he guessed he was "inside something's mouth" but didn't know it was a whale. And the experience brought to mind a certain Disney film.
"It was just a second but it felt like more time because I was thinking a lot of stuff. I remembered about Pinocchio," he said, referring to the 1940 animated film, which sees its hero swallowed by a giant sperm whale named Monstro. "It was surprising. I wasn't expecting that at all."
Adrián said he could have lost his life had he been swallowed by a different creature.
"At first, I thought that I would die because there's nothing I can do if I am inside the mouth of a giant fish. But it was a whale," he said. "So I didn't have enough time to realize that I was not in danger."
These incidents involving humpback whales are rare. In 2021, American lobster diver Michael Packard was swallowed briefly by one as well.
'All of a sudden, I felt this huge shove and the next thing I knew it was completely black," he told the Cape Cod Times. "I could sense I was moving, and I could feel the whale squeezing with the muscles in his mouth."
He said that after less than a minute of being in pitch blackness, "I saw light, and he started throwing his head side to side, and the next thing I knew I was outside."
Ultimately, it is scientifically impossible for a humpback whale to fully swallow a human, although it can easily fit one inside its huge mouth, which can reach around 10 feet, according to Nicola Hodgins of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, a U.K. nonprofit.
The reason? A humpback's throat is roughly the size of a human fist, she told National Geographic in 2021, and can only stretch to about 15 inches in diameter.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
40 minutes ago
- CNN
Viral Labubus boost company's profits by nearly 400%
Viral Labubus boost company's profits by nearly 400% CNN's Anna Cooban reports on the viral Labubu dolls that have helped boost Pop Mart's profits by almost 400%. 00:56 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 15 videos Viral Labubus boost company's profits by nearly 400% CNN's Anna Cooban reports on the viral Labubu dolls that have helped boost Pop Mart's profits by almost 400%. 00:56 - Source: CNN 'The Last of Us' actor reflects on loss of her mom Emmy-nominated actress Kaitlyn Dever, who stars on HBO's 'The Last of Us,' reflects on her mother's memory after she lost a 14-year battle to breast cancer. 01:34 - Source: CNN Vikings face backlash after two male cheerleaders join team Napoleon Jinnies, one the NFL's first male cheerleaders, joined CNN's Boris Sanchez to discuss the backlash the Minnesota Vikings are facing after the team announced this year's cheer squad which included two male cheerleaders. Since the announcement, the two cheerleaders have been receiving hateful comments online. 01:49 - Source: CNN Gas line explosion sends debris flying Three firefighters were injured Tuesday following an explosion caused by a ruptured gas line in Wilmington, North Carolina, fire officials told CNN. 00:58 - Source: CNN Federal immigration agents open fire on a family's vehicle Federal immigration agents opened fire on a family's vehicle during a targeted operation in San Bernardino, California. The Department of Homeland Security says that it was an act of self-defense after a man "struck two CBP officers with his vehicle." 01:45 - Source: CNN Nationwide demonstrations across Israel demanding hostage deal A planned nationwide strike in Israel on Sunday saw hundreds of thousands take part to call on the government to bring the remaining hostages in Gaza home. CNN's Oren Liebermann reports from Tel Aviv. 01:23 - Source: CNN Zines not hashtags: Gen-Z's new protest playbook Gen-Z activists are rethinking protest tools. Opting to go offline over concerns of misinformation and surveillance, zines offer another way to organize. For the latest "The Assignment" podcast episode, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with artist and organizer Kennedy McDaniel about what's prompting the shift from hashtag activism. 01:51 - Source: CNN Canadian government orders end to Air Canada strike After more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike seeking wage increases and paid compensation for work when planes are on the ground, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered them to return to work according to an announcement by Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu. 01:05 - Source: CNN Spike Lee's Reaction to Trump's Smithsonian Orders 'To roll back the clock' says Director Spike Lee to CNN's Victor Blackwell in response to President Donald Trump's Smithsonian orders. 01:14 - Source: CNN Russian media reacts positively to Trump-Putin Summit Russian state TV gave a positive coverage of the outcome of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, celebrating the handshake between the two leaders. Russian officials also stated that the meeting resulted in progress on sanctions and opened up room for future negotiations. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports. 01:23 - Source: CNN London's toxic trash 'volcano' Arnolds Field landfill on Launders Lane in east London is better known to locals as the 'Rainham volcano.' The site was used as an illegal dump for years and now, every summer, it bursts into flames, sending plumes of acrid smoke over nearby homes, parks and schools. CNN's Laura Paddison speaks to residents who feel abandoned and trapped. 02:05 - Source: CNN Hong Kong twin pandas turn one Giant panda twins Jia Jia and De De celebrated their first birthdays in Hong Kong on Friday. The cubs were born last August to Ying Ying, who became the oldest giant panda on record to give birth. 00:43 - Source: CNN Football player's emotional press conference sparks conversation University of Nebraska freshman punter, Archie Wilson, left his home in Australia to play for the Cornhuskers. During a press conference, a reporter asked Wilson how he was doing being so far away from his family and his emotional reaction sparked a conversation around masculinity. Writer and philosopher Ryan Holiday joined CNN's Boris Sanchez to discuss. 01:29 - Source: CNN McDonald's Japan causes Pokémon food waste frenzy Piles of untouched Happy Meals littered sidewalks outside McDonald's restaurants in Japan over the weekend, as frenzied customers scrambled to buy limited-edition sets with Pokémon cards. CNN International Correspondent Hanako Montgomery has the story. 00:55 - Source: CNN Taylor Swift unveils album details on boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album 'The Life of a Showgirl' will be released on October 3rd. Swift made an appearance on the podcast 'New Heights,' hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce where they discussed the album 00:48 - Source: CNN
NBC News
44 minutes ago
- NBC News
Frank Caprio, Rhode Island TV judge known for his compassion, dies at 88
Judge Frank Caprio, who handed down compassion from the bench on the local television series 'Caught in Providence,' earning himself and the show national attention, has died. He was 88. A post on his official Facebook page Wednesday confirmed that Caprio 'passed away peacefully' following a 'long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.' Caprio disclosed his diagnosis in 2023 in a clip posted to Instagram in which he asked for prayers. 'Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,' the post reads. 'His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.' Beyond being a respected judge, Caprio is remembered as 'a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.' The post concludes, 'His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired. In his honor, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day.' A 'Rhode Island treasure' Caprio was born into an Italian-American family in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1936, according to a profile from Rhode Island Monthly. He graduated from Suffolk University School of Law, after attending night school. He rose to prominence on the local access channel series 'Caught in Providence,' where his compassionate rulings often went viral and drew national coverage from outlets like NBC News. The judge went on to become a household name when the show was syndicated and later became available on Prime Video. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee spoke to Caprio's effort to connect to the public in a 'meaningful way' in news release issued following the judge's death. 'Judge Caprio was a Rhode Island treasure,' the statement begins. 'On a personal level, he was a friend who faced his illness with bravery, and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.' McKee also ordered Rhode Island flags at state agencies and buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of Caprio. 'Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth and compassion,' the statement continues. 'He was more than a jurist — he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.' He concludes, 'Whether you grew up watching Judge Caprio on television or first saw his kindness touch lives around the world on social media, there is no question that his legacy will leave a lasting mark across generations.' Rhode Island Senate leaders also reflected on Caprio's career and contributions to the state. In a joint statement, President Valarie J. Lawson, Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III, and Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian provided the following statement: 'Judge Caprio embodied the spirit of Rhode Island and its people. He truly saw the humanity in everyone, and his compassion inspired countless acts of kindness across the world. The entire Senate family mourns the passing of Judge Caprio and extends its heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.' Making a difference for a new mom The judge comforted a new mother struggling with postpartum and overwhelmed by a stack of tickets and a boot on her car. The 96-year-old father rushing his son to the doctor In a who had been cited for speeding as he rushed his handicapped son to a medical appointment.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Disney Dreamlight Valley is making some significant changes to Star Paths ahead of its next update to make it more engaging for 'those who play week over week'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Ahead of the new Emotional Rescue update, Disney Dreamlight Valley has announced that some significant changes are being made to its current Star Path format. As detailed on the Disney Dreamlight Valley blog, these changes are being made to help make the Star Path feel more accessible for every player, regardless of where they are in the valley and how much progress they have made within the game. The most significant update is the addition of Routine Duties. These won't take the place of the standard Star Path duties, but add an additional layer of challenge to work through to get ahold of more rewards. These duties refresh each week, giving you even more to work on, and follow a different theme. The blog stated that these additional duties were initially designed for "those who play week over week" since standard duties alongside those in the base game can become slightly repetitive. Also linking to duties you'll complete throughout the Star Path, any that relate to specific characters or things you unlock in the game, like restaurant orders or features like Dreamsnaps, have been removed for now. This will definitely help brand-new players get stuck in with the Star Path without encountering any roadblocks because they simply haven't got to that point yet. Even with as many hours in the game as I have, there are still characters from realms I haven't unlocked yet, which have stopped me from completing a number of tasks in the past. Plus, if you were grinding the Star Path out at the last minute, these could also effectively roadblock your progress and make it impossible to finish in time, so I'm glad they're finally gone. However, this doesn't apply to brand-new characters introduced with updates and new Star Paths, which are Joy and Sadness for this update. Since new characters roll out alongside new Star Paths, it makes sense that most players will be racing to unlock them. If you're not the type of player to wait with baited breath the second another character is announced, then having these exclusive duties might be the push you need to head into their realm and make your way through their friendship quests—especially now you don't have the added pressure of completing challenges for other characters too. Finally, each Star Path will have an additional five days tacked onto the end, so you've got plenty of opportunities to complete your duties. There's a 48-hour grace period once these five days are up to give you a chance to spend all your Moonstones on prizes if you haven't already done so. Yes, I know, this is a reduction from the previous grace period, but with five additional days to complete the entire Path, we can't complain too much if we run out of time, since there comes a point where it's our own doing.
