A Heroic Splash in Desaru: How a Ordinary Trip Turned Into an Unforgettable Rescue
On a beautiful September morning, a 45‑year‑old Singaporean dad, Xie, found himself in a real‑life action thriller – and the leading role.
What Went Down
Dreaming of the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, Xie and his wife Li along with their two daughters were early birds, arriving before the park opened. Instead of waiting, they took a scenic detour to the Tanjung Balau beach, about a 45‑minute drive. While strolling across a charming sea bridge at 8:40 am, folks around them caught a commotion.
Li told the Shin Min Daily News that a crowd of 30‑40 people had gathered on the beach, shouting loudly. From afar, she could see five or six teens floating in the ocean, probably just having a splash‑ah‑fun. Nothing seemed too dramatic until she saw one swimmer disappear beneath the waves.
Key Moments
- No one on shore helped – the beach was all beach‑combing and picnic, not lifeguard duty.
- Xie didn’t hesitate – he stripped off his shirt, dove into the water, and sprinted toward the teens.
- Three girls clung to a life buoy – they were the obvious ones on the rise.
- A boy and a girl’s struggle was urgent – these two were separated from the other teens and had to pull them back to safety.
Li added that far from the shoreline, a fellow student‑group attempted to reach the kids with a boat and wooden planks acting as improvised oars.
Aftermath
With Xie’s quick swim and efficient rope‑pull, the five teens got back onto the beach safely. According to the interview, the trio of families and the lads who didn’d just walk away. Everyone commended Xie for turning into an accidental hero.
Throughout the ordeal, Xie remained calm, focused, and surprisingly mid‑level “instant‑hero” agility. Chilled out yet heroic – a real parent who saved the day, one could say.
Takeaway
If you’re heading to Desaru, keep the beach guard near – or just keep an eye on your kiddos, because you never know when a hero will need to hop into the ocean for a quick rescue.
Rescue at Sea: A Heroic Little Team
The Quick‑Thinkers
When the situation turned urgent, the students swooped in, pulling the two teens aboard the boat in a swift, almost choreographed rescue.
Heart‑Pumping Action
- One brave teen grabbed the boy and immediately kicked off CPR.
- Each chest compression counted, keeping the boy’s heart ticking on.
With the students’ help, the boat became a lifesaving ship, and the young man was back on track thanks to the twins’ quick‑thinking and a solid CPR session.
Heroic Splashdown: Xie Saves the Day
Picture this: Xie, breathing a steady rhythm, sprinted back across the lake, cheeks flushed and eyes on the horizon. He reached the trio of girls who were holding onto the life buoy as if it were the last shirt that could keep them afloat.
With a calm but steady voice, Xie led them gently toward the boat that had been waiting patiently on the shore. Once aboard, he didn’t just stop—he helped haul the boat back up to the land, making sure everyone returned safely.
- Three hopeful girls secure aboard.
- Boat successfully pulled back to shore.
A Tragic Day at Kota Tinggi Beach
What went down: On a sunny afternoon, a group of teens were caught in a sudden current off the boardwalk. Five of them vanished in seconds, yet two of the younger ones—twelve‑ and fourteen‑year‑olds—miraculously resurfaced, gasping but alive. The rest? Unfortunately, the beach’s rogue tides claimed a 13‑year‑old girl, whose body was found later that same day.
The rescue and the fallout
Xie, a local community leader, watched in horror as the group slipped beneath the waves. “I felt a pang of guilt,” he recalled to the Shin Min Daily News, “I should have jumped in earlier.” Li, his partner in the rescue effort, attempted to lift his spirits, saying, “I could only say he did his best.”
Why the waves were so treacherous
- The beach is notorious for strong undercurrents, “the sea can be dangerous,” Li warned.
- Local fishermen noted that many beachgoers are not strong swimmers.
- One person had died before rescuing another who was struggling— a grim reminder of how quickly the tide turns.
The survivors’ medical journey
After the chaos, rescue teams rushed the unconscious teens to a nearby clinic, where they received breathing support. The other survivors were also transported for check‑ups. In total, life was saved for three but lost for one.
What the kids were going to do next
Xie was distraught over the missing girl, at one point almost telling everyone, “I could’ve done more.” Li comforted him, reaffirming that the effort they made was all that mattered.
Despite the tragedy, the community rallied. Xie’s background in water polo—and his fearless swimming—made him a quick presence in the water. The story spread quickly, becoming a cautionary tale about the unseen perils right at our feet.
By [email protected] – Drownings Malaysia – Rescue – Good Samaritans
