Paul Rowen’s Tsunami Experience is shared on Songs of Praise

Date published: 10/01/2005

Rochdale Council leader Paul Rowen has returned home from his Christmas Holiday after a frightening near death experience whilst away with friends on the island of Phuket.  Paul had a somewhat lucky escape from the devastating tidal wave that swept through South East Asia on Boxing Day, as he was out snorkelling in the water when the wave hit.

“While we were on the boat, my friend Marilyn commented that the sea had changed colour. The captain started the boats engine to get us near the swimmers. Then I saw this huge wave come crashing down the side of the beach between a sea stack on the cliffs. It hit a small village smashing everything up. All the small boats seemed to disappear. At the same time on the other side of the bay it crashed onto the forest smashing trees like matchsticks. Then the wave started to come towards us. It capsized a boat 3 times our size. Our boat and the other one next to it started moving out to sea. I was really scared I thought it was going to outrun us”.

Phuket, where Paul was staying, was one of the hardest hit areas in Thailand with at least 130 people dead and up to 7,000 injured. The killer waves hit coastlines across the region following a huge earthquake off Sumatra. Back at the hotel where he was staying, 2 people were killed during the ordeal.

He continued, “We stayed on Phuket for two more nights at another hotel well away from the beach. We saw the horrific sight and destruction of much of the beachfront around the island. I spoke to several survivors and realised that we had been incredibly lucky. We thanked God for sparing us”.

After this terrifying experience, Paul is eager to raise money for the unfortunate in Asia that don’t have anywhere to escape to. He said, “there’s a small town in Sri Lanka where 4,000 of the 8,000 inhabitants have been killed. I am urging Rochdale people to back the Mayors appeal with donations”.

Paul made an appearance on Songs of Praise on Sunday 9 January, where he talked about his ordeal, and his gratitude being so fortunate in such unfortunate circumstances.