A husband and wife were rescued on Friday in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, 12 days after their car went off a cliff and plunged 25 meters into a swamp.

Police said the couple, who are from Aichi Prefecture, survived for 12 days by drinking the vitamin rich marsh water until rescue crews located them, TV Asahi reported Saturday.

According to police, a man who happened to be driving along the road near the swamp saw the 65-year-old husband crawling out of the marsh on Friday morning. He said his 76-year-old wife was still inside the car which was partially submerged and not visible from the road above. Rescue crews arrived shortly afterward and rescued the woman.

Police said the couple had been driving along a road at around 7 p.m. on Nov 12 when they suddenly spotted something moving on the road. After swerving to try and avoid impact, the car crashed through a barrier and plunged into the swamp.

Stranded, they survived by drinking marsh water they collected in plastic bottles. They had no cell phone with which they could call for help. The man said he got out of the car a few times and tried to find help but gave up and went back to stay with his wife inside the car, TV Asahi reported.

Police said the couple was taken to the hospital, but had suffered no major injuries.

© Japan Today