Father and Daughter Swept Away Crying for Help Saved by Man in His 30s Using Surfboard

▲ Hamdeok Beach

The good deed of a man in his 30s who rescued a father and daughter from drowning in rough waves at a Jeju beach while on vacation has belatedly come to light.

According to the Jeonju Facilities Corporation in Jeonbuk Province on the 22nd, Lee Dong-gyu, a 38-year-old employee at Jeonju Seunghwawon, heard screams for help coming from the open sea while relaxing at Hamdeok Beach in Jeju City on the 15th.

Spotting the middle-aged man and young woman struggling against the waves about 100 meters away from the shore, Lee immediately asked people nearby to call 119 and jumped into the water with a surfboard.

At the time, the father was in critical condition, exhausted and sinking into the water. Lee first pulled the man onto the board and then rescued the woman, who was staying afloat using survival swimming techniques.

Although he reassured the father and daughter by telling them, "You are safe because we have a surfboard," the father's breathing and level of consciousness deteriorated to the point where waiting for rescue workers was not an option. Lee then swam back to shore himself while having both people ride on the surfboard.

When Lee and the father and daughter arrived on the sandy beach in a state of exhaustion, dispatched 119 paramedics took over the father and daughter and rushed them to the hospital.

It was learned that the father and daughter had been swimming together when they were swept away and stranded by currents and waves.

Lee's good deed became known after the father, who fully recovered his health, posted a message of gratitude on the corporation website's compliment board.

The father wrote, "My daughter and I were in a desperate situation where we could not escape on our own, but thanks to Mr. Lee's courageous action, we saved our lives," adding, "I want to convey my heartfelt thanks, which I could not properly express at the time due to the chaotic situation."

Lee said, "The moment I heard the screams, I had no other thoughts except that I had to save them," and added, "I am just glad that both of them are safe."

The Jeonju Facilities Corporation plans to award Lee a commendation to honor his good deed.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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