A California teenager was the sole survivor of a boating accident after his dad had him sit inside a cooler after the ship went under.
Jude Khamnoungkhoune, 13, said his family loved to fish, and that this trip started out like any other. But as his family was out hunting for crabs, the wind picked up and their boat struggled against the waves, as reported by KTVU.
As the waves got worse, the teen said everyone on board — including his father, uncle, two cousins and a family friend — put on life jackets and tried to hang on. Khamnoungkhoune said his dad, Prasong, pushed him into a cooler as they floated in the water, but his dad slipped away.
"I was crying and yelling out for my dad, so I could hear him say something again," the teen told KTVU.
Khamnoungkhoune floated alone in the ocean for hours before eventually reaching the shore. From there, he hiked until he found people who were able to call 911.
"Something that went through my head is that I need to make it to see my family. See another day," Khamnoungkhoune told KRON-TV.
Rescue crews searched the area for days, but were unable to find any other survivors. One of the cousins' bodies was recovered before the search was called off.
"I manage it by staying strong and just focusing on what's in front of me, not really the past unless I have to. I just decided to make good decisions and use my thoughts and brain to survive during the waves and wind," the teen told KRON-TV.
The 13-year-old described his father as "really funny" and someone who "would help the family with anything," as reported by KRON-TV. A Gofundme has been set up to support Khamnoungkhoune's family.
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