39-Year-Old Father Drowns While Attempting to Save Two Children

Aug 15, 2026 | News On Japan

HOKKAIDO - A 39-year-old father was taken to a hospital in cardiac arrest on August 15 after entering the sea to rescue his two young sons who appeared to be in difficulty off the coast of Toyoura, Hokkaido.

The water accident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. in front of a campground where the family was staying.

The man's two sons, both in their early teens, were struggling in the water when their father entered the sea in an attempt to help them.

The father then began drowning himself and was rescued by people nearby. He was transported to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest.

The two boys managed to reach the shore on their own and were not injured.

Police and other authorities said the stretch of coast where the accident occurred is not designated as a swimming beach.

None of the three was wearing a life jacket.

The father had been visiting the campground with his wife and their two children, a family of four.

Source: TBS

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