A man drowned on Sunday morning after he jumped into the sea to try and save his sons who had slipped off rocks on the coast near Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture.
According to police, Atsushi Oka, 32, and his two sons, aged 9 and 5, had come to the coastline to go fishing. NTV quoted police as saying that at around 9:30 a.m., the two boys lost their footing and fell into the sea. Witnesses said Oka jumped in after the kids but disappeared from view.
Another fisherman helped the 5-year-old boy, while the 9-year-old made it back to land by himself.
Emergency services were called and Oka's body was retrieved about one hour later, police said. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
© Japan Today
30 Comments
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TheDevilsAssistant
What a sad ending that was supposed to be a day of fun.
CrazyJoe
There is likely not a parent across the world who would not willingly risk their own lives to save their children. My condolences to the family.
Marthacooper1999@hotmail.com
Magnet
What a tragedy. At least the kids will grow up knowing that their father died a hero. But still... So sad. My condolences to the family.
Disillusioned
Rock fishing is the world's most dangerous sport. Sad story.
nath
I would buy life vests for myself and my family. They take up next to no room over your gear and will keep you afloat. Having kids who can't swim playing around water is a recipe for tragedy. RIP sir.
TokyoGas
I read the title and felt so sad...
nath
The father of those children was a brave man who evidently loved his children so much he would risk his own life to save them. RIP.
nath
and if he had spent about 40$ on each boy he wouldn't have had to die trying to save them. Tragic lesson here.
smithinjapan
Very sad.
LSpiro
Not the way to go for such an honorable man.
JoeBigs
So sad..........
White_Shinobi
Aw... Thats horrible
StormR
Tragic story to read on such a fantastic day weather wise, I can understand why many people were out along the coast down that way today, road down the coast road and passed Odawara shortly before that time this morning.
Ron Barnes
Very sad
mayabe
Oh..my heart . Condolence to the family left behind.
Elbuda Mexicano
Just so sad, so horrible! Poor man, my guess panicked and just jumped into the sea to save his sons. RIP great father Also the 5 year old was saved by another fisherman, thank god the other man was able to save the 5 year old. Respect the sea, respect rivers, respect lakes, one wrong step and all hell can break loose in a blink of an eye!
kuuku
condelences to the family, this is not its supposed to be..the father may not know how to swim, but his love for his two children breaks all boundaries..
therougou
Sounds like he needed to spend the money on himself..
nath
Aaron Loki Brummett
A brave soul!
nath
Saw this on the news last night. Very sad indeed. My condolences as well.
JeffLee
I would NOT do the same. The best way for a rescue is from land. Find a pole or an object the victims can grab. If unavailable find anything that floats first, to then enter the water to give it to the victims. Call out to nearby boats or others nearby for assistance
Rescuing people in deep water alone with nothing is nearly impossible and frequently leads to unnecessary deaths. Hollywood movies show the hero immediately diving into the water. But that's the completely wrong reaction.
dialogtus
A close friend of mine died almost 20 years ago to save his friend. This guy is the "Father of the year 2013". Long live boys!!!
Mark Quijano
Father's love....so sad. His kids will miss him so much but they must be proud of their father.
timtak
I hope he knew his sons were safe before he perished.
BurakuminDes
Well said TimTak - exactly my thoughts. As a dad myself, I hope I'm never tested by fate like this brave man was. Rest in Peace, hero Dad. Your boys will make you proud I'm sure.
ensnaturae2
JeffLeeOCT. 14, 2013 - 06:39AM JST "I would do the same" I would NOT do the same. The best way for a rescue is from land. Find a pole or an object the victims can grab. If unavailable find anything that floats first, to then enter the water to give it to the victims. Call out to nearby boats or others nearby for assistance
Youve no idea what you will do - when you find yourself in the situation of seeing your two small boys in a life threatening situation. You will act according to instinct and according to exact prevailing circumstances - as far as it is possible to read them - at the time. Not according to rule books and instructions. Either child might have disappeared from sight if the man had turned away even for a moment - to find a pole or get help, I guess, as a fisherman, he was well aware of the risks he took.
nath
apparently not, he would have done it differently if he was.
ensnaturae2
spudman go back and read all of my post . Books of rules and approved procedures - do not work all of the time, they are a backup to initiative and sound intuitive responses (eg sound as in not panicking) - you have no idea what went through that guys head or what the exact circumstances were. Very few people who live or work with fishing in any way - have not heard of 'correct procedures' - but if you imagine that relying on rules and procedures is the best way to go at all times, then you must have lived inside a crate for a long time. When I know precisely what those circumstances were - that man faced - then I can make some kind of judgement. Not before. - And neither can you.