Weeded out: Stranded fisherman rescued by helicopter after two days

A fisherman stranded on his boat amidst aquatic weeds for two days and nights was eventually rescued by a helicopter. The incident occurred in the Huai Luang Reservoir, Nong Bua Ban subdistrict, Udon Thani province.

Heavy storms trapped Tan Sihararat, a 53 year old resident of Nam Phon Nuea, Nong Wua So district, in a dense mass of water hyacinths and giant salvinia. For two days, he survived by drinking rainwater and grilling fish he had caught on a makeshift fire atop the floating weeds. Despite the challenging conditions, he managed to signal for help using an umbrella.

The local officials, including the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre Region 14 Udon Thani (DPM 14), the Nong Wua So Police Station, and the Udon Sawang Metha Thammasathan Foundation, were alerted about the situation. Lamphun Buaphan, a 52 year old local official, revealed that Tan was located approximately 1.4 kilometres from the shore, near Wat Pa Nikotararam temple.

The rescue team initially considered a water-based rescue operation. However, the persistent southward wind hindered any attempt to disperse the aquatic weeds, making it impossible for boats to reach Tan’s location. Consequently, a decision was made to request helicopter support from DPM 14.

Within 30 minutes, Thanathorn Srinak, leading the DPM Udon Thani team, arrived at the scene by helicopter. The rescue team descended to Tan’s boat and safely lifted him from the dense vegetation. Despite the strong winds generated by the helicopter, Tan was successfully secured and transported to Wing 23 for a detailed medical examination.

Tan recounted his ordeal via telephone while still stranded. On August 25, he set out to fish in the morning. By the afternoon, as he prepared to return, a severe storm struck, pushing his boat into the thick mass of weeds, rendering it immobile. Initially, he hoped for a change in wind direction that would disperse the vegetation and free his boat. However, conditions did not improve.

Fisherman rescue

With his drinking water supply exhausted, Tan relied on rainwater and grilled the fish he had caught to sustain himself. He described the experience of surviving for two days and nights in such conditions, dealing with heavy rainfall and occasional lightning strikes that nearly knocked him off his boat.

The rescue operation concluded when the ambulance transported Tan to Udon Thani Central Hospital. Despite the ordeal, Tan appeared in good spirits and showed no signs of exhaustion. He remained communicative with his relatives and even used his mobile phone during the journey to the hospital, reported KhaoSod.

“I went out to fish, and a storm trapped me for two days. I had to grill the fish I caught to survive. The heavy rain continued almost all the time, with lightning strikes nearby that nearly threw me off the boat.”