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American Morning

Sixty-Three-Year-Old Donald McSweeney of Hawthorne, Florida Lucky to be Alive

Aired March 20, 2002 - 08:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: It is an amazing story of survival this morning. Sixty-three-year-old Donald McSweeney of Hawthorne, Florida is lucky to be alive. While driving his car Friday, he swerved apparently to avoid hitting a deer. That's a picture of Mr. McSweeney right there. He drove off a road, careening into a deep ditch. He was trapped in his car more than 16 hours. Finally his screams and whistles for help were heard by a couple drive by who rescued him.

Joining us now by phone with more on this incredible story is Donald's brother, Roy McSweeney.

Mr. McSweeney, thanks for being with us this morning -- Mr. McSweeney.

ROY MCSWEENEY, DONALD MCSWEENEY'S BROTHER: Yes, you got me.

COOPER: Hey, how's it going? I heard your bird. I thought it was your brother whistling in the back.

MCSWEENEY: Buddy, I'll tell you what, I'm thankful my daddy for the way he taught us how to whistle.

COOPER: I bet you are this morning.

Is your family a big family of whistlers?

MCSWEENEY: No, just dad, it's a special way dad taught us how to whistle. Thank God for that. He evidently got it out loud enough for the people to hear him.

COOPER: Roy, I understand your brother was driving. He swerved to avoid hitting a deer. He goes in this ditch, and he's stuck in this car for 16 hours. Was he whistling this entire time?

MCSWEENEY: Sir?

COOPER: Your brother when was stuck in the car, he was there for 16 hours, I understand. Was he hooting and hollering and whistling the entire time?

MCSWEENEY: Yes, sir. Well, I think he passed out a couple of times. He had a very -- a badly injured hip, and he got himself about halfway out a time or two, and then he had to draw it back in, because he couldn't go out over his hip.

COOPER: I understand he was supposed to come to a birthday party for your mom, but he didn't show up.

MCSWEENEY: That's what stirred everybody up. He'd bought a bunch of baby ribs, and Don's kind of fussy about his baby ribs. And he's the one that usually barbecues them, and he didn't show up to do it, and everybody got to trying to find out where he was at.

COOPER: When he didn't show up for the ribs, you knew there was trouble?

MCSWEENEY: Sir?

COOPER: When he didn't show up for the ribs you knew there was trouble?

MCSWEENEY: Yes.

COOPER: OK. So how is he doing now? He was rescued by two people passing by who heard his whistle whistles in the car. They got him out. How's he doing?

MCSWEENEY: I went down there last night, and he had tray full of food. He was eating looked like peach cobbler and strawberry cake, and in good health. They're moving him in an upper room today.

COOPER: All right, well, that's a good sign. I'm glad to hear your brother is doing well. And I guess it's a lesson to us all to practice our whistling.

MCSWEENEY: Yes, sir. Again, my father's dead, but I'm still thanking him for teaching us how to whistle.

COOPER: We thank your dad for that.

Roy, thanks for joining us and send our best to your brother.

MCSWEENEY: Well, sir, I certainly will.

COOPER: Take care.

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