Current Events > U.S. Army Officer: Kazuki Takahashi Died Trying to Save Riptide Victims

(+) Yeah! (+)

The U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported on Tuesday that Yu-Gi-Oh! manga creator Kazuki Takahashi died trying to aid a U.S. Army officer in saving three people who were caught in a riptide at Mermaid's Grotto in Onna, Okinawa.

U.S. Army Major Robert Bourgeau, a diving instructor, was trying to save an 11-year old girl, her mother, and a U.S. soldier who were trapped in a rip current about 100 meters from shore on July 4. Bourgeau was unaware that Takahashi tried to aid him in the rescue.

Bourgeau said Takahashi entered the water during the rescue, but he did not see Takahashi during the ordeal. Bourgeau's diving students, whom he had met with just after 2:00 p.m. that day, caught glimpses of Takahashi until he disappeared beneath the waves.

The Japan Coast Guard found Takahashi's body equipped with snorkeling gear two days later on July 6, about 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) offshore in Awa, Nago city in Okinawa.

The spokesman for Japan Coast Guard declined to confirm that Takahashi indeed participated in the rescue attempt, but several sworn witness statements provided by the Army detailed his actions that day. Takahashi's autopsy also concluded that he died of drowning, and that there were no signs of foul play.

Bourgeau was recognized by the U.S Army for saving the three people. His command nominated him in September for the Soldier's Medal, which recognizes acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. Bourgeau said Takahashi is a hero and that "he died trying to save someone else."

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-12/u.s-army-officer-yu-gi-oh-manga-creator-kazuki-takahashi-died-trying-to-save-riptide-victims/.190730

o7

Damn rip hero

Damn man, what a legend. Rest in Peace.

Good that they are honoring his bravery, but also this should serve as a warning about how dangerous riptides are. Dont try to assist professional rescuers if you dont have rescue training yourself, or you may end up becoming a victim yourself.

MrToothHasYou posted...

Good that they are honoring his bravery, but also this should serve as a warning about how dangerous riptides are. Dont try to assist professional rescuers if you dont have rescue training yourself, or you may end up becoming a victim yourself.

This. May he rest in peace, and I'm glad that nobody else died that day.

bump

MrToothHasYou posted...

Good that they are honoring his bravery, but also this should serve as a warning about how dangerous riptides are. Dont try to assist professional rescuers if you dont have rescue training yourself, or you may end up becoming a victim yourself.

That was my thoughts too. You're just gonna get in the way and make more burden for the professionals when you do stuff like this with no training or equipment >_> Not to mention that these things usually have a coordinated effort going on, and then some rando comes in and does his own thing and messes up the flow of it all.

RIP tho. He had a good heart

Yikes.

In the unlikely event that you ever find yourself in a riptide, don't fight the current. You won't win.

Swim parallel to the shore for a few hundred feet and then try to swim back in. Repeat a few times if necessary.