60-Year-Old Man Dies Trying to Catch Motorboat Drifting in Waves

Gyeongnam Tongyeong Maritime Police Station.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] A man in his 60s who jumped into the sea to grab a motorboat drifting away in the waves has died.

The Tongyeong Maritime Police in Gyeongnam announced on the 8th around noon that they received a report of two people falling into the water off Yonghodo, Hansan-myeon, Tongyeong City, and immediately dispatched a patrol boat and rescue team.

According to the Tongyeong Maritime Police, the two people, along with two other acquaintances, went to Yonghodo from Haksan Port in Geoje on a small outboard motorboat to enjoy a summer outing.

The boat owner, Mr. A, and Mr. B jumped into the water to grab the boat, which was tied up but drifting farther away due to the waves, but they ran out of strength and had an accident.

Mr. A was rescued thanks to a nearby anchovy fishing boat passing by, but Mr. B went missing and was found unconscious floating in the water about 20 minutes after the search began.

The maritime police performed CPR on Mr. B and handed him over to the 119 ambulance team waiting at the maritime police exclusive pier. Mr. B was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but ultimately passed away.

A maritime police official said, "There are similar accidents where children at the beach try to grab tubes drifting away in the waves," and added, "In the sea, boats or kayaks can be pushed away by currents or wind, so do not try to grab them recklessly. Please ask for help from nearby vessels or the maritime police."