It's not just a variation, it's the morphing of an old story. Not that there's anything wrong with it, and if people want to believe in it or take the message out of it, no harm done.

However, I have a problem with stories like these being interpreted as some sort of legitimate news piece. It's a nice story, and sure, maybe something similar has happened. But more often people die "unsaved".

And, yes, I guess I don't know if at any point in time in this world someone had had this exact experience, but I think that the number of these stories that I've heard that sound nearly exactly like this (atheist/non-believer turns to God just as life was in jeopardy) are more likely to be stories created by well-meaning people to show others the glories of God.