Country star Willie Nelson almost drowned at sea when his lung collapsed during a swim in Hawaii. The singer was on tour 20 years ago when he decided he wasn't fit enough, but a sudden health routine almost killed him.

He recalls, "I just got into running - first time in I don't know how long. Then I hit the water and swam. My left lung completely collapsed. I instinctively knew what had happened and was far enough offshore to get a little concerned."

And Nelson still shudders when he remembers the pain that was to come as medics attempted to fix his smashed lung.

He adds, "They stick something through your back and pump the lung up, and whatever decibel your scream is, that's how they know they've penetrated the lung. I peaked that sucker."

-Willie Nelson pics

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)