Upended in a Lake: Ivory Coast Ambush

Real Survival Stories

NOISER

Society & Culture, Documentary, Sports, Wilderness, History

4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 25 June 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jon Ritchey sets out on a relaxing fishing trip in the Ivory Coast - a West African country that is close to his heart. But out on the tranquil water, Jon’s boat - and life - are turned upside down. He and his family have inadvertently strayed into the territory of one of the continent’s deadliest animals. Despite the best efforts of father and uncle, when the young man finds himself in its lethal grasp, it seems there will be only one outcome... A Noiser production, written by Nicole Edmunds. For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you’d like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hey Spotify, is Dampson Idris here to celebrate Tommy Hill Figures' Apex GP collection.
0:06.0	Fuelled by the thrill of speed and the power of style,
0:09.0	Tommy Hill Figures capsule collection merges performance-driven design with limitless confidence.
0:13.0	This isn't just a lot. It's the uniform for those on a journey to achieve their dreams.
0:18.0	Discover Tommy Hilfiger's limited edition Apex GP collection, inspired by
0:22.3	F1 the movie, only in cinema's June 25th.
0:31.3	It is early afternoon on July the 19th, 1979, in West Africa's Cote d'Ivoire, the Ivory Coast.
0:40.3	Golden rays from the scorching African sun glisten on the surface of Lake Koso.
0:46.3	The water is a bright turquoise, patterned by shadows from overhanging branches.
0:52.3	Its tranquility is broken only at the occasional ripple of birds
0:57.0	landing on its surface, or fish speeding through the depths. A gentle breeze stirs the trees,
1:05.0	and the buzz of insect and animal life fills the air. Then, without warning, the serene surface of the lake breaks.
1:16.6	Its ripples turn to waves, and flashes of red, green and blue explode into the sky as the birds take off panicked.
1:33.3	In the now turbulent shallows, the head of a man emerges. His mouth agape as he gasps for air, his arms flailing in all directions.
1:40.3	This is 21-year-old Jonathan Ritchie, and he's being pursued by one of nature's deadliest creatures.
1:49.1	I can remember feeling the leathery head under my feet as I pushed off.
1:54.5	I was running out of air as I pushed off from his head and headed for the surface.
1:59.0	I needed air desperately.
2:04.6	John. from his head and headed for the surface I needed air desperately. John blinks the water from his eyes and opens his mouth as wide as possible, gulping for oxygen.
2:10.6	Beneath the surface, his limbs kick wildly. His right leg is weak due to a savage bite he received moments ago.
2:20.3	But his left leg is still strong enough to allow him to tread water, just.
2:26.3	Flicking his wet hair from his eyes, John looks up and tries to take in the scene around him.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 5 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from NOISER, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of NOISER and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.