A teenage boy who was on a boat with his family when it capsized survived by crawling into a cooler and floating to shore.
Juladi ‘Jude’ Khammoungkhoune, 13, was the sole survivor after the boat flipped off the coast of central California, killing his father and four other relatives.
Jude was crabbing on the vessel in Bodega Bay with his family on November 2 in the evening when the wind tipped it over.
He was wearing a life jacket and managed to get into a cooler. Jude’s dad, Prasong, hung on to the cooler but eventually let go so his son could get to shore quicker.
‘It was pretty terrifying to see my dad go too soon,’ Jude told KGO.
‘I prayed to Jesus Christ and all of my family members that I can make it out alive, and get to see my family and everybody that I know.’
The cooler washed ashore several hours later in the night.
Exhausted, Jude fell asleep on the beach and decided to wait until the sun rose to look for help. First responders found him in the morning and transported him to a hospital.
Hours later, search and rescue crews recovered the body of Jude’s 17-year-old cousin, Johnny Phommathep II, in the water, said US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Levi Read.
A search effort for the rest of the missing boaters by eight federal, state and local agencies was suspended on Sunday evening after scouring over 2,100 square miles.
‘The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly,’ said US Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael Zapawa, according to the Independent.
Prasong, also known as Song, was a father-of-three, with younger children aged 6 and 10.
‘Jude, his oldest son, miraculously survived, washing ashore after hours alone in the sea,’ stated a GoFundMe page set up by his family.
‘Though we’re endlessly grateful to have him safe, the family has lost its anchor.’
The father also left behind his wife to care for their young kids.
‘Song filled his family’s life with joy, strength, and boundless love, bringing home his daily catch to share around the dinner table,’ stated the GoFundMe.
‘It brings a small comfort to know he was taken doing what he loved most, but his absence leaves a vast emptiness.’
The fundraiser had received more than $55,700 as of Tuesday afternoon.
‘It’s a really good thing I’m back with my family cause I’m happy to see my family,’ Jude said, ‘And every one of my family members are supporting me throughout this journey without my father.’
The five family members died more than two years after a boat capsized on the Hudson River in New York City, killing two people including a seven-year-old boy.
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