At first it sounds too fishy to be true, but this story is definitely the real deal. Four weeks ago, professional fisherman Michael Packard, 57, was diving for lobsters in the ocean off Cape Cod when a humpback whale appeared from nowhere and swallowed him.
In an instant his world went black and a frightening, and heroic, struggle for survival began. On 60 MINUTES, Packard gives a gripping account of his miraculous escape from the whale’s mouth.
But as Karl Stefanovic finds out, this was not his only brush with death. Michael Packard is no stranger to danger, which means it’s not surprising he is now being called the luckiest man who ever lived.
Reporter: Karl Stefanovic – Producer: Thea Dikeos
THE GREAT GAMBLE
Australia’s obsession with every new COVID infection recorded here is turning us into a nation of neurotics. There’s no question it’s a ruthless virus, but that doesn’t mean it has to dominate every waking moment of our lives.
Getting the country vaccinated will ease the pain, but more immediately, so might looking overseas. Tom Steinfort reports that in other parts of the world, despite the highly transmissible Delta strain running rampant, COVID restrictions are being lifted and life is beginning to look like normal.
Of course, without full herd immunity, nations like Great Britain are taking an enormous gamble, and that worries many medical experts. But for the sanity of all Australians, following this overseas lead is surely worth considering.
Reporter: Tom Steinfort – Producers: Garry McNab, Tracey Hannaford
