A man who went into the sea for a midnight dip with friends and failed to return has been found after nine hours clinging to a rock.

Mattia Veronese, 28, had gone into the sea with three friends at Conchiglie Beach in Porto Tolle, northern Italy, at 1am on Saturday, 6th August.

But, unlike his friends, Mattia failed to return to shore.

His pals raised the alarm and the Port Authority of Chioggia and the Fire Brigade launched a search for the missing man.

Despite huge waves making the operation difficult, a search and rescue helicopter spotted him clinging to rocks off the coast of Gorino di Goro – six kilometres (four miles) south of where he had first entered the water – at around 10am.

Exhausted but conscious, he was winched up to the helicopter and taken to a hospital in Chioggia, as seen in this footage, for a check-up.

He had suffered minor injuries in the ordeal and had ingested lots of seawater. He was kept in hospital under observation.

Mattia explained how he had survived the rough seas by clinging to a log before the waves pushed him towards the shore, where he clung to the rocks.

Porto Tolle mayor Roberto Pizzoli said: “These have been hours of anguish for the family. I know them. The boys went for a swim on the free beach, but it is a dangerous area.

“Nine hours at sea is truly a miracle. Last year there were two drownings. I relived those fears, but luckily it ended well.”

In a statement obtained by Newsflash on 7th August, the Vigili del Fuoco (Fire Brigade) said: “The bather who disappeared last night in Porto Tolle, Rovigo Province, was found this morning by the Vigili del Fuoco.

“He was identified by helicopter pilots on a beach, after being dragged by the current, in the locality of Gorino di Goro. The 28-year-old was then transported to hospital in Chioggia.”