The love of parents for their children can’t be compared to anything in this world. It can’t be measured, and it is also unconditional. Parents are always there for their children no matter what happens, and they are willing to risk everything they have and would do everything they have to make their children’s lives are at its best, and they are giving them the love they deserve. A father and son relationship is quite impressive too. The father, in this article, will prove that.
This Father And Son’s Relationship Is Quite Special That When His Son Was Gone Missing, He Does Everything To Look For Him
Putting Children First
Parents can be busy most of the time due to the work they have to do to provide for their families and bring food to the table. Yet, when parents know that their children are somewhat in danger, they’re willing to drop everything. This father, right here, is no exception. Tony Lethbridge found out that his son was missing. It was January 16, 2018. He did what most fathers would do when the same thing happened to them, but Tony did exceed the expectations of many in this situation. He knew his son needed his help.
Putting Children First
Just An Average Day
It was like any other day. Everything was pretty much normal. The father and son, Tony Lethbridge and Samuel Lethbridge live in a small town, namely Lake Macquarie, in New South Wales. Samuel was only 17 years old at that time. He was relatively young but can already be responsible for himself. From where they live, Sydney was just 8 miles away. So both of them usually go to Sydney to spend time together and enjoy it. One day, Samuel went out and decided to go to a party that was happening in Sydney.
Just An Average Day
Something Was Off
When Samuel went to Sydney to go party with some friends, he didn’t know something was about to happen. Tony, on the other hand, was feeling off about the situation. Samuel hasn’t contacted him yet until the end of that night he went out. He knew it was something strange as it wasn’t Samuel’s personality not to let his father know his safety. Tony was thinking about all possible scenarios as to why Samuel hasn’t contacted him yet. Although there’s a lot of possible scenarios that Samuel could be in a safe place, he can’t help but feel off about it.
Something Was Off
The Typical Parent Reaction
It is normal for parents to worry about their children when they don’t hear a word from them. Of course, they are out in the open, and there is no safer place in the world they can ever be than in their house and be by their side. So it is normal to be worried. Tony did let it pass as he thought that Samuel maybe just forgot to update him as to where he was because of having so much fun that night, which normally happens to most young people. 20 hours have passed, and still, Samuel hasn’t come home.
The Typical Parent Reaction
His Mind Went To The Worst Place
Tony was giving the benefit of the doubt that Samuel had just forgotten to give him a call because he was having so much fun with his friends. It’s normal for every young person to forget, and it happens all the time. Tony didn’t want to panic about the situation, so he waited for another night to come by before he started to make a move and something to find his boy. Monday morning came, and Samuel still didn’t come home.
His Mind Went To The Worst Place
Wild Child
Tony still was not able to contact Samuel that Monday morning, and he was worried as to what happened to his son. He reached every friend and family he knew, but he was just told that Samuel probably had run away from home. However, Tony knew Samuel, and they indeed have a good relationship. The only reason Samuel wouldn’t be in contact with him is he doesn’t have his phone with him. Tony knew he needed to do something now.
Wild Child
Past Trauma
News about people who are left dying after a car crash were circulating, and Tony can’t keep his mind off of it. He kept thinking that the same thing might’ve happened to his son. That’s why he wasn’t in contact for more than two days already. He also heard the news about someone that has been left in a car crash and only to be found five days later, dead. All those reports are torturing his mind, and he can’t stop thinking about it. He won’t let the same thing happen to his, so he did what he had to do.
Past Trauma
The Waiting Game
Tony knew he didn’t want to lose himself in panic, so he just filed a report that his son was missing. The police immediately began the search for Samuel as soon as they got Tony and his wife’s report. The married couple was advised to stay at home and wait for their update. However, Tony can’t keep himself from thinking that his son was involved in a car crash, and he knew that the search for him would take long. Tony then decided to do it himself.
The Waiting Game
Calling For Help
With the mixed emotions Tony was feeling, he couldn’t help but take the matters on his own hands. If what he thought happened to his son, he can’t let him out in the open just like that. He needed to find him in any means possible. Tony came up with a plan, but he needed a hand with it. He contacted his brother, Michael, and persuaded him to help him, but that wasn’t necessary as Michael was ready to help Tony. Before going to the airport, they made sure they withdraw money first from the ATM.
Calling For Help
A Special Favor
After getting the money, Michael and Tony made their way to the airport. They immediately went to Lee Mitchell. Lee Mitchell was a former formal helicopter pilot, and he also used to own a helicopter rental company. Tony discussed his idea on how to find his son, Samuel, to Lee. Lee understood that he needed help, so he did help Michael and Tony. Tony even offered $1000 in exchange for this favor, but Lee refused to accept it.
A Special Favor
One Great Uncle
Lee, the owner of the helicopter, did help Tony and Michael to carry out the plan in searching for Samuel. Michael was in full support to find his nephew. He knew that Tony is afraid of heights and that he is susceptible to airsickness, so he presented himself to go with Lee instead of Tony. So the two went on their trip to the sky to find Samuel with hopes that they will find him alive and bring him home to his family.
One Great Uncle
Down Below
Lee and Michael left behind Tony. There’s no choice for him, but to wait for their update, they see anything that could help them trace and find Samuel. This left Tony in total anxiousness. He couldn’t stay put waiting for the news, especially when he doesn’t know if it’s a bad one or a good one. No one knows what has happened to Samuel, and the thoughts of him being in an accident don’t help him either.
Down Below
The Anticipation
Time was ticking, and as it went by, the more Tony felt sick in his stomach. He had no communication with Lee and Michael at that moment since they were up in the sky. He felt bad for not going with them. He was convincing himself that it was only reasonable that he didn’t come because of his fear of heights, and Michael was there to go instead. However, this made him feel more intense and suspenseful.
The Anticipation
After Fifteen Minutes
Michael and Lee were up in the air, desperately looking for anything that may lead them to where Samuel probably is. They were hoping that they could see anything and any signs of Samuel. They were afraid that they would find nothing in the search that they were doing. However, after 15 minutes of looking. They saw something quite familiar and thought that it might be what they’re looking for. Still, there’s no guarantee.
After Fifteen Minutes
There’s Hope
After 15 minutes of hard looking for anything from the sky, they finally found something. Michael and Lee immediately went to it and checked if it is really what they think it is. They were right! It was Samuel’s car. The car was situated near Crangan Bay, and the place was off PCH. Although they have found the car of Samuel, they still were not sure if Samuel was inside and if he’s alive. Michael was interviewed later on, and he admitted that it is impossible to create a search operation for a car.
There’s Hope
The News
When Michael and Lee finally confirmed that it was indeed Samuel’s car that they had found near Crangan Bay, they immediately called Tony to deliver the news. When Tony found out he can’t stay still, he was desperate to know more about the situation, so he drove right away, going to the place where they found Samuel’s car to confirm and answer all the questions he had. Michael was 50 meters away from the car, so he couldn’t see if Samuel was inside so he went closer.
The News
Staying Optimistic
Michael was the one who went to the car to see up close if there was someone inside or none. He was feeling nervous at that time since it’s the moment of truth. He doesn’t know if he’ll find anyone in there or if there is, is he alive or not. He shouted his nephew’s name as he was approaching near the car but to no avail. That made him more nervous and got afraid of what he’s about to discover. However, he noticed a slightly moving head and confirmed that Samuel is alive. He called Tony.
Staying Optimistic
His Situation
When Tony received a call from Michael, he was relieved to know that his son is still alive. However, the information wasn’t obvious. Samuel wasn’t in good condition when he was found. He was in a critical state and needed immediate medical help and care. He suffered fatal injuries and a bad thigh bone fracture, which came out of his skin. He was also suffering from dehydration. It is clear that if he wasn’t found at that time, we could only imagine the worst that can happen.
His Situation
Wasn’t Going To Be Easy
When Michael reached the car and confirmed that the person inside was alive, and indeed it was his nephew, he felt relieved. The slight movement of the head that Samuel made indicated a positive sign that he’s still breathing and can still move. They called help immediately, and when the rescuers saw the scene, it’s undeniable that it’ll not be easy to pull him out of the car, so they cut it down, and they successfully retrieve Samuel.
Wasn’t Going To Be Easy
To The Hospital
When the rescuers and ambulance were able to remove Samuel from the car after tearing it down, they immediately brought him to the hospital. The hospital’s name is John Hunter Hospital. There, they were able to stabilize him and then transferred him to the intensive care unit where he’ll be receiving his treatments. It’s not going to be easy for Samuel after what he went through, with all the fractures and injuries he suffered from the accident.
To The Hospital
Grateful
Samuel was finally on his final leg of recovery. Tony and his wife were able to see him back in his old self and safe. This wouldn’t be possible without the help of his brother and Lee. Tony knew he needed to do something to pay back for the safeness of his son. He and his wife went to Lee to give the $1000 he initially offered before even starting the search for Samuel. Tony insisted that he should accept it.
Grateful
Successful Mission
For the second time around that Tony offered the thousand dollars in compensation for his efforts, Lee still declined. He said that Tony will still have a lot of bills to pay, especially that his son is still in the hospital and that he was just glad that he was able to help him in that project. He said that he wanted to help Tony in every way he could. Samuel’s safety wouldn’t be secured if it hadn’t been for Tony, Lee, and Michael’s effort.
But How Did He Know?
I’m sure that after reading this story, many wondered how could Samuel’s father “knew” where to find him? I don’t think that anyone had come up with the idea of renting a helicopter, but Samuel’s dad did. And there is a reason for every act, so Samuel’s father had a hunch that his son might be wounded or in trouble in the middle of nowhere
But How Did He Know?
Aftermath
Why would the dad plan to rent a helicopter and check the area where his son was found? Oh, as it turns out, in the middle of all the incertitude. Stress and worries, a lamp lit in Tony’s head when he recalled that there was a crash in that area and that five days later, the victim was found dead. “I didn’t let that happen,” Tonny promised.
Dad Saves Son
Sam was rescued by his father, who rented a helicopter to find him after he was trapped in a crashed car for 30 hours. After the paramedics arrived, he was quickly taken to the hospital and saw how critically wounded he was. One of the injuries that he sustained was a bone that sticks out of his leg, which is one of the reasons that the car accident must have been severe.
Dad Saves Son
Road To Recovery Takes Long
Of course, after so long being trapped in a car with all those injuries, Sam lost consciousness. When he had taken care of his injuries, and Sam was stable, he regained consciousness but was still unable to rise from bed. The first time he was able to walk or even drive, was in the
Son Ignores Dad Is A Hero
Sam could only walk there weeks after having been strapped in a bed for over three weeks. At the same time, he began talking and saying a few words. Three weeks since the accident occurred, and yet no one spoke about it with Sam. He had not been told yet about the lengths that his father went to save his son: Pay $1000 to be able to do aerial research.
Son Ignores Dad Is A Hero
Why Would No One Tell Him Anything?
It is normal not to remember exactly what happened or how he/she ended up in the hospital after being in an accident. Yet one can become very quickly exhausted after having a near-death experience, stress, and panic. If one was just in an accident, none of these factors/emotions were ideal. The most important thing is not to pressure or stress the patient and allow them to recover completely without any worries in their mind.
Why Would No One Tell Him Anything?
No Connection To The Outside World
As Tony’s greatest father and the good care the doctors took from Sam, they all denied him access to his phone or any other device with internet access so he wouldn’t see the news, reports, and what was being said about the accident. The last thing Sam wanted was to feel exhausted or suffocated after his near brush with death.
No Connection To The Outside World
Injuries
It should not come as a surprise that Sam would have multiple injuries after being stuck in a wrecked car for 30 hours, with no one to take care of him. 17 To get it right. Recall that he almost died in such a fatal accident. He also sustained three fractures in his spine, three fractures in his elbow, and a dislocated elbow while suffering from a fracture in his thighbone. 3 Weeks after the crash, he took his first steps.
Injuries
Spotting The Sinister
Following his gut, Tony, the father of Samuel, decided to rent a chopper with his $1000 cash in his own hands. He looked all over the world and was frustrated with the hunt, so at that moment, trying by air was his last chance. After finding his son, his words were as follows: “If the helicopter did not hover above, I would never have found him because I couldn’t see him from the road.”
Spotting The Sinister
What Allegedly Occurred
After carefully observing the area of the accident and the car’s condition, Tony’s first guess was that when it deviated from the lane, the car was moving at a speed of about 80 kph. They believe the car hit a concrete pole that tore the driver’s door off and destroyed the car after spinning, rolled, and finally landed on its wheels. Emergency workers had to break open the car to free Samuel.
What Allegedly Occurred
Operation Getting Helicopter
Tony went into the airport with his $1000 cash, hoping to get a helicopter. Since the company’s CEO wasn’t there, the staff agrees to offer their services to Tony for as long as possible and for the price that Samuel’s father was willing to pay. The team agreed to launch the helicopter without hesitation and do their best to locate the 17-year-old boy who had been missing for several days.
Operation Getting Helicopter
There Are Good People In This World
After Sam has been rescued and safe in the hospital, his parents return to the airport to pay for the service of the company. The business, however, agreed to return the money to the family a few days later. They said they’d all been under enough pressure, and the last thing they wanted was economic problems. They also wanted to assist with the medical bills that would certainly be expensive.
There Are Good People In This World
Raising Money
Sam’s family needed financial support to cover all of his medical costs. They wanted to raise money by asking people if they were willing to make small contributions to help them get through these tough emotional and financial times. How was he doing this? By developing a campaign called the road to recovery for Sam Lethbridge. Luckily many people have been supporting them and helping them with their cause.
Raising Money
What’s Next?
After his injury, Sam started the road to recovery personally. As it is normal, it will take him time to recover from his injuries after the horrific accident that he had completed. He began with tiny steps after three weeks that were already fast and incredible. At the same time, as his dad said, “he’s a tough boy,” he started talking again and got on the right track for a safe recovery, luckily.
What’s Next?
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
From this intense story, we learn that the love parents shave for their children can conquer all and that while they are in their care, nothing bad will ever happen to them. Tony proved to be so brave and full of hope in such stressful times. Police and other investigation entities may be helpful but what’s clear is that parents have an additional sense that connects them to their kids.
Not All Heroes Wear Capes