Tourist sacrifices life to save drowning family in Hainan Sea, China

On the afternoon of August 8, at Letao Bay on the Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning City, Hainan Province, a brave 37-year-old tourist from Guangdong, China, lost his life while saving a family trapped in strong sea currents.

The family included Mr. Yu, his 14-year-old daughter, 11-year-old younger daughter, and his son who was safely handed to a nearby tourist before the rescue began. While the father and children were playing near the shore, the water currents suddenly changed direction and pulled the two daughters farther into the sea.

Mr. Yu tried to hold onto both daughters, but the waves were too strong. The younger daughter clung tightly to her father’s back while he grabbed the older daughter’s arm. Fighting the rip current, Mr. Yu struggled to keep them all afloat but gradually lost strength as salty water filled his nose and mouth.

Just as the family’s situation grew desperate, Wu Qiuzhong, the tourist, saw their distress from the shore. Without hesitation, he jumped into the water and swam towards the struggling family. Wu first reached the older daughter and managed to grab her, but soon found himself caught in the strong offshore current.

A university student named Liu Rui, who was nearby, also jumped into the sea to help. Wearing a life jacket from a recent motorboat ride, Liu used it to support Mr. Yu and his daughter. Soon, local sailing coaches arrived on a motorboat and rescued Mr. Yu, his family, and Liu from the water.

Meanwhile, Wu Qiuzhong was found unconscious, floating far from shore. The Wanning Blue Sky Rescue Team and emergency medical personnel quickly began CPR and other life-saving treatments on him. Despite their continuous efforts for about an hour, Wu sadly passed away due to respiratory failure caused by drowning.

Mr. Yu, the rescued father, tearfully recalled, “I didn’t even get the chance to say thank you to him. He was our hope when we were drowning.” He watched the rescuers try to save Wu but felt helpless as time passed and Wu did not regain consciousness.

Local authorities in Wanning have begun the process to honor Wu Qiuzhong posthumously for his heroic sacrifice. The community and witnesses praised Wu’s courage and selflessness, calling him a true hero who risked everything to save strangers.

Wu’s family, including his 13-year-old son who kept calling out for his father, are now grieving the tragic loss. Meanwhile, the family he saved remains in Wanning, still shaken but forever thankful to Wu for his bravery.

This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the dangers of the sea and the incredible courage some show to save others, even at the cost of their own lives.