In a startling incident near Thailand’s popular island of Koh Samui, a French family found themselves stranded in the sea for more than 16 hours after a rented jet ski collapsed. The father, aged 50, along with his young sons, were initially found at sea in a pale and exhausted state after ingesting a large amount of seawater.
Rescue teams were alerted when the jet ski failed to return at the agreed time. Boat crews combed the waters around Koh Samui and the nearby island of Koh Phangan using speedboats and other jet skis to locate the family. Search efforts paused overnight, leaving the trio still floating, before they were located the following morning.
The family was discovered near 10:00 local time on Friday, roughly 10:00 GMT. Officers later reported that the jet ski’s engine had stopped due to rough waves before the rental period ended. Footage released shows one boy perched on the front of the jet ski’s deck while the rest of the device lay submerged in the waves. Both father and son were seen wearing life jackets and waving for assistance.
According to local authorities, the family was transported to a hospital for routine checks. They have since been discharged and remain in Thailand, continuing their holiday. The mother and older sister reportedly waited anxiously on the beach before the trapped family was brought back to safety.
Such incidents underline the importance of proper safety measures, quick response actions, and the need for situational awareness among visitors engaging in water sports in tourist hotspots.
