A family trip to Jeju Island ended in heartbreak on Friday when a father in his 40s drowned after saving three children, including his own, from being swept away by the sea.
According to the Jeju Coast Guard and rescue officials, the tragedy unfolded at around 2:26 p.m. off the coast of Jeju City. The man’s two children and a friend were playing near the water when they were caught by strong tides.
Acting quickly, the father jumped in and managed to help all three children climb onto a nearby breakwater. However, he was unable to get out of the water himself.
An acquaintance eventually pulled him from the sea before emergency responders arrived, but by then, he had lost consciousness. He was given CPR and airlifted to Cheju Halla General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:28 p.m.
This was the second fatal water incident in Jeju that day. Just minutes later, at around 2:40 p.m., a man in his 30s was reported missing at Gwakji Beach. He was found dead about 70 minutes later.
