Rescued His Children Stranded by Rising Water Without Hesitation
Saved With Citizen's Help, but Suffered Cardiac Arrest... Ultimately Passed Away
A tragic accident occurred in Jeju Island where a father in his 40s lost his life after being swept away by waves while rescuing his three children who were stranded by rising water.
On the 25th, a fire department helicopter transported a man in his 30s, rescued from the sea near Gwakji Beach in Jeju City, to the hospital. Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters
According to Jeju Coast Guard and Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on July 26, a 119 emergency call was received at around 2:37 p.m. the previous day near the breakwater at Sehwa Port in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, reporting that "my husband fell into the water."
At the time, Mr. A was collecting seaweed near the breakwater with his three children. Suddenly, his children and a friend's child, who had not noticed the rising water, became stranded in the sea. Without hesitation, Mr. A entered the water and rescued the children one by one. However, he was swept away by the waves. He was rescued about five minutes later with the help of a citizen who was surfing, but Mr. A was already in cardiac arrest. Rescue authorities performed CPR and transported him to a hospital in Jeju City via a doctor helicopter within nine minutes, but he ultimately passed away.
Every year, fatal accidents such as drownings frequently occur on Jeju Island's beaches during the summer as the number of vacationers increases. Most of these accidents have taken place on small beaches, mainly at ports or harbors in Jeju, where there are no safety personnel or equipment. Over the past five years, there have been 24 such incidents, resulting in six deaths.
On the same day as Mr. A's accident, a tourist named Mr. B went missing near Gwakji Beach in Jeju. Mr. B was found after one hour and twenty minutes, but was ultimately pronounced dead. At around 4:20 p.m. on July 26, another man was found unconscious while snorkeling near Wollyeong Port in Hallim-eup, Jeju City. A safety officer immediately performed CPR, and the 119 rescue team, upon arrival, continued CPR and transported the man to the hospital by helicopter, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. It was reported that this man had come to Jeju Island with four acquaintances and suffered the accident while snorkeling that day. Police are investigating the exact circumstances of these incidents.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 2 p.m. on July 26, a high seas warning was in effect for the western, eastern, and southern offshore areas of Jeju, except for the northern offshore area. Strong winds of 10 to 22 meters per second and very high waves of 2 to 4.5 meters are forecast for the seas around Jeju until July 29. As a result, strong swells are expected to hit the coast, and high waves may cross tidal rocks, breakwaters, or coastal roads. Authorities have urged beachgoers and visitors to coastal areas to exercise caution.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
