Married At First Sight star Cameron Merchant recalls the terrifying moment he was separated from his parents during the Boxing Day Tsunami
Married At First Sight star Cameron Merchant has recalled the terrifying moment he was separated from his parents during the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami.
The 40-year-old was on holiday in Thailand with his parents when the deadly natural disaster struck.
Cam revealed in a candid Instagram post that the three family members frantically searched for each other for more than eight hours during the ordeal.
’20 years ago today in Patong Phuket, Thailand I experienced something that changed my life and many others forever. The Boxing Day tsunami,” he began.
‘One of the greatest natural disasters in history. I lost my parents for over eight hours before I was thankfully reunited in the evening.”
“Unfortunately, so many others didn’t. More than 230,000 people lost their lives in fifteen countries and I was one of the lucky ones.’
Married At First Sight star Cameron Merchant (pictured) recalls the terrifying moment he was separated from his parents during the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami
The 40-year-old was on holiday in Thailand with his parents when the deadly natural disaster struck
Cam revealed that this year he and his family were remembering those affected by the natural disaster.
He also shared photos of the hotel he was staying in, which was completely destroyed by the tsunami.
‘I took these photos at our hotel where we stayed at Patong Beach Hotel Merlin.’
‘Photo 6 was supposed to be our original room that I booked, but it was double booked for one night.’
“The morning of the Tsunami we went down to meet it… (Talk about the universe protecting us),” he continued.
“This day changed my outlook on life, the way I live it forever and the way I am every day.”
“I never had to deal with the trauma and stress of what I saw and went through for years until I had a breakdown a few years later, but it made me the person I am today.”
Cam went on to say that he is “grateful to still be here, to be with my family and to pay tribute to those affected here.”
He shared photos of the hotel he had stayed in that was completely destroyed by the tsunami
“This day changed my outlook on life, the way I live it forever and the way I am every day,” he wrote
“I send so much love to those who were affected 20 years ago, those who lost their lives and those who are still living with the consequences,” he added.
The catastrophic tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history, killing more than 225,000 people in 14 countries.
A series of large tsunamis up to 30 meters high caused massive destruction and triggered a global humanitarian response.
To commemorate Cam’s dance with fate, he has a tattoo on his right bicep with the three words: “Live, Love, Embrace.”