national

Father drowns trying to save 2 sons off Kanagawa coast

30 Comments

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

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

30 Comments
Login to comment

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.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I guess, as a fisherman, he was well aware of the risks he took.

apparently not, he would have done it differently if he was.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I hope he knew his sons were safe before he perished.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Father's love....so sad. His kids will miss him so much but they must be proud of their father.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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!!!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"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

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.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Saw this on the news last night. Very sad indeed. My condolences as well.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A brave soul!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sounds like he needed to spend the money on himself.. No cause if the boys were floating he wouldn't panic and put himself in danger.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

and if he had spent about 40$ on each boy he wouldn't have had to die trying to save them. Tragic lesson here.

Sounds like he needed to spend the money on himself..

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

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..

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Oh..my heart . Condolence to the family left behind.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Very sad

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Aw... Thats horrible

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Father drowns trying to save 2 sons off Kanagawa coast

So sad..........

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Not the way to go for such an honorable man.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Very sad.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

who evidently loved his children so much he would risk his own life to save them

and if he had spent about 40$ on each boy he wouldn't have had to die trying to save them. Tragic lesson here.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

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.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I read the title and felt so sad...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I would do the same

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.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Rock fishing is the world's most dangerous sport. Sad story.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

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.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

That is the love a parent has for his children. He died trying to save them. I would do the same

14 ( +15 / -1 )

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.

23 ( +24 / -1 )

What a sad ending that was supposed to be a day of fun.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites