Posted on 01/03/2005 8:59:13 AM PST by hamboy
An alert 10-year-old British girl saved her family and 100 other tourists from the devastating Asian tsunami – because she had learnt about the giant waves in a geography lesson, it emerged today.
Tilly Smith was holidaying with her mother Penny, father Colin and seven-year-old sister Holly on Maikhao beach in Phuket, Thailand, when the tide suddenly rushed out.
As the other tourists watched in amazement, the water began to bubble and the boats on the horizon started to violently bob up and down.
Tilly, who had studied tsunamis in a geography class just two weeks earlier, quickly realised they were in terrible danger.
She told her mother they had to get off the beach immediately and warned there could be a tsunami, according to The Sun newspaper.
She explained she had just completed a school project on the huge waves and said they were seeing the warning signs that a tsunami was minutes away.
Her parents alerted the other holidaymakers and staff at their hotel, which was quickly evacuated.
The wave crashed a few minutes later, but no one on the beach was killed or seriously injured.
Tilly, from Surrey in England, gave the credit to her geography teacher, Andrew Kearney, at Oxshott’s Danes Hill Prep School.
She told The Sun: “Last term Mr Kearney taught us about earthquakes and how they can cause tsunamis.
“I was on the beach and the water started to go funny. There were bubbles and the tide went out all of a sudden.
“I recognised what was happening and had a feeling there was going to be a tsunami. I told mummy.”
Tilly’s mother said she was “very proud” of her daughter, while her headteacher Robin Parfitt said she had “wisdom beyond her years“.
Mr Kearney said he remembered teaching Tilly and her fellow students that after the sea was sucked backwards, the next five to 10 minutes were crucial for people to survive.
He said her quick-witted actions were typical.
“I’m stunned at the news but so relieved she and her family are safe,” he told The Sun. “Tilly is a very bright level-headed girl. Nothing illustrates her character more than her brave actions in a terrifying situation.”
Tilly’s family have decided to finish their holiday in response to pleas from the Thai tourist board.
Yeah, Tammy Bruce on LA's 790 AM radio also discussed this courageous story about Tilly. Other details were that Tilly said "tsunami" but then said to her mom -- Mom, there is going to be a tidal wave! when they didn't react to the word tsunami!
Thank God for that little girl.
'How many people total were saved? '
" An alert 10-year-old British girl saved her family and 100 other tourists"
' How much time did they actually get to get to safe ground?'
"The wave crashed a few minutes later"
I understand that this is the 6th major tsunami in that region since 1797. I would think folklore would kick in @ that rate.
It was nice that she saved her parents despite the fact that they named her Tilly.
They did because this is the kind of thing that used to be taught when they were in school. She caused them to remember. No Western tourists should have been caught in this; in fact, they should have urged the unschooled locals to flee. Casualties should have been minimal.
Matilde is probably very happy her parents nicknamed her Tilly.
Head inland, preferably toward high ground. No point in running. Once inland as far as possible, climb on top of something sturdy or that floats so you can ride the flood or get above it. The main energy of the front will break early on the beach, so rising water is the main problem.
File for next time.
I think I read that one village was saved because their folklore said that if the water goes away, it will come back that much greater.
I did not learn this in school but from the History Channel.
They had a great show on a few years ago, I believe it was on the Wrath Of God show.
other threads for more info/news to read on this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1311991/posts?page=47#47
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1310396/posts
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