Advanced Search

Related News

Home » Nation

Heroic action rendered ineffectual as the ‘vortex’ of the sea engulfs 2

By Max Tsiang | June 24, 2015, Wednesday | Online Edition

POLICE received a report about 7am yesterday that the bodies of two men had floated to a beach in Pudong, according to Shanghai Television.

After an investigation, police has identified the first man to be a 31-year-old Gansu province to Shanghai worker, surnamed Zhao, and the other man to be a 32-year-old friend of Zhao’s, surnamed Yang.

Following a brief questioning of the two worker’s close friends, the police discovered that the two men, Zhao and Yang, had went to the beach along with 4 other friends  on Sunday. When Zhao waded into the water to frolic around with the sea foam, he was suddenly whisked away from his friends and into a vast whirlpool. Zhao cried out in both shock and terror.

The resulting cry immediately alerted the others of the coming danger. However, instead of fleeing from the potential threat like the others, Yang jumped into the water heroically to rescue Zhao. Tragically, Yang lost the furious battle against the strong currents of the water and was also swallowed into the whirlpool. A third man started running towards the whirlpool as well in hopes of rescuing the two but was quickly held back by the others, knowing that he wouldn’t win against the whirlpool.

Police were instantly notified of the critical situation and emergency personnel arrived at the scene at once. In spite of that, as there were no traces of where the two men were in the water, there was no way to fully expand the search.

Regardless, the police and other emergency personnel began searching the coastal lines, docks and pontoons.

Despite the seek for even the tiniest strands of human hair or a minuscule piece of cloth, there were no signs of any particular clue. The search continued to almost 10:00pm and the attempt ended in vain.

The bodies were later found 150 and 200 meters from the original site of accident.

The incident occurred during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday but as neither man could swim, their fighting efforts against the powerful waves were futile, said their family members. The family members later added that the men most likely jumped into the water because of the curiosity and the peer pressure.

People also noticed that the warning sign on the beach was disfigured by someone.

Situations similar to this recent one often take place. About 3 drowning accidents happen each year at this beach.

The unfortunate incident once again sounded the alarm to the public to warn them of the dangers of swimming in unknown waters with unpredictable weather patterns. This was further reinforced when the public was notified of how Zhao left behind a son and a daughter while Yang left behind his only child.

Today, Shanghai Television reporters visiting the site still found more men in a nearby river, ignoring the multiple warning signs. Their surprising confidence led them to say: “The people who drown are said to know how to swim.” This statement sparked further controversy.

 

Nation


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend