Man who drifted for 13 hours while SUPing at sea forms free rescue team

Once saved after being swept away by waves with his child at sea, a man in Nghe An set up a free rescue team with the wish to repay his debt of gratitude.

Tung and his son were rescued after 13 hours drifting at sea on July 31 - Photo: TAM PHAM

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung - 35 years old, residing in Truong Vinh ward, Nghe An , founder of the rescue team "Tung Time" - is also one of the volunteer groups supporting the search for victims in the case of a father hugging his two daughters and jumping off Ben Thuy bridge.

From victim to rescuer

Mr. Tung's story moved many people even more when they learned that three months ago, he himself struggled with the rough waves with his 6-year-old daughter when they were swept away by the waves while playing sup at sea.

Talking to Tuoi Tre Online on the morning of October 17, Mr. Tung said that on July 30, while swimming at Xuan Thanh tourist area, Tien Dien commune, Ha Tinh, he and his father were swept away by the waves and disappeared. Amidst the cold and fear, he thought of death.

"My father and I wore life jackets, holding tightly onto the SUP in the waves. At night, we saw a light in the distance. I tried to swim after it, but the waves were big and I was exhausted. It wasn't until the next morning that we saw the cargo ship and waved for help," Mr. Tung recalled.

After nearly 13 hours drifting in the middle of the ocean, he and his father were discovered and rescued by a cargo ship. After that incident, Mr. Tung knew he owed life a debt of gratitude that could never be repaid.

"I can't thank the people who saved my father and I enough. I just thought, if I was saved, I should do something meaningful for those who were unfortunate enough to have met with an accident like me," he shared.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung talked with Tuoi Tre Online on the morning of October 17 - Photo: DOAN HOA

From that promise, Mr. Tung and Ms. Tran Thi Kim Dung - residing in Thanh Vinh ward, Nghe An, who has many volunteer activities in Nghe An - collected about 50 million VND to buy canoes and rescue equipment.

He called 10 more friends, each with a different profession, but with the same heart to form the free rescue team Tung Time with the simple motto: "Giving is forever. Everything will pass - Only human love remains".

To have operating funds, he sells coffee during the day and drives at night.

Having experienced life-or-death moments, Mr. Tung shared that he understands the feeling of despair when no one hears his cries for help. Because of that, he cannot sit still when someone is in a similar situation.

Every journey to save people is a time to "repay life"

Day or night, whenever someone needs help, Tung's group sets out.

Less than a month since its establishment, the Tung Time rescue team has been present in the flood-affected areas after storm No. 10, participating in the rescue of missing people in Ha Tinh ...

Perhaps the heaviest moment that he and his team could not stop feeling was the incident that happened on October 13 when a man holding his two young daughters jumped off Ben Thuy bridge, throwing himself into the rushing Lam river.

He said that when he witnessed his mother and grandmother crying on the banks of the Lam River, everyone was choked up: "When we heard the news, we wanted to get there quickly, hoping to save them in time. Everyone was just hoping for even the smallest miracle, but...", he fell silent.

Tung Time rescue team joins the search for missing victims on Lam River - Photo: HOANG VU

"My teammates and I all support for free with the wish to share and help some unfortunate families in trouble. Everything will pass, only humanity remains and I want to contribute a small part to preserve that," Tung confided.

On social networks, many people expressed their admiration for the work of Mr. Tung's group.

"I believe that his actions came from his touching and precious gratitude when the father and son were saved in the moment of death. It was also a feeling of not wanting anyone else to experience the same horror as they had to go through. A noble act!", commented Thu Trang.

Phuong Nga shared: "After reading Tung's story, I was truly moved and admired. Not everyone who has escaped the scythe of death is brave and tolerant enough to return to help others like him. I hope there will be more people like him, so that human love can always be kept warm in this life."

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-tung-troi-dat-13-tieng-khi-cheo-sup-tren-bien-lap-doi-cuu-nan-mien-phi-20251017101156974.htm