On December 26th, 2004, the deadliest tsunami on record hit the coasts of South East Asia.
The lives of countless families all over the world were changed forever.
This is the true story of one of those families.
Not again.
Did you....
- Did you set the alarm before we left? - Yes, it's the last thing I did!
No, I was the last one to leave.
I was the last one to leave and I'm sure I didn't set it.
No darling, I was the last one out...
and I did, I promise.
- Are you sure? - Yep!
Okay!
No, no, I was the last one 'cause I went back in.
And that means the alarm is not set.
Cause I didn't set it.
Well, I guess that means that we'll be coming home to a large bunch of hippies...
...sleeping in our bed.
What, just like your old college days?
It's fine. It's just turbulence, Maria.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our descent to Phuket Airport.
The local time is 1:30 in the afternoon...
What are you doing? It's time to sit down, we are about to land, darling.
Lucas won't talk to me.
Please fasten your seatbelts...
...and return your seat to the upright position.
Take my seat.
- What did I do? I didn't do anything. - It's all right, just sit down and stop worrying.
Buckle up!
Sit down please, madam!
Lucas.
- Lucas. - What?!
You know you could try being a bit nicer to your brother, he's just scared.
So what else is new, everything scares him?
I wonder who he takes after.
KHAO LAK, THAILAND CHRISTMAS EVE
Take your stuff, don't forget all your bags.
Have you been to Khao Lak before?
No, it's our first time.
This is the best holiday season ever.
Already starting to full, but this area, it's really quiet.
Great for families.
The Orchid Beach Resort is brand new, which just opened a week ago.
- You'll love it here. - All right.
I'm sorry, but we made a booking on the third floor, the sea view room.
I know. We are sorry, that was a mistake.
But we feel...
you might like this better.
- Where do you come from? - Japan.
You don't look Japanese.
No, well, I work for a big company there, and we move around a lot, you know.
And you, you don't work?
I'm a doctor.
Not practicing right now. Just taking care of the kids.
I see, you got promoted.
Oh, that's nice, isn't it?
- Mom! - Yes.
- Can I have one of these, please? - Lucas, if you're thirsty, will you just...
- Just juice or a glass of water. - Exactly.
- Boys, come and see this. - Come on!
Look.
Isn't it great?
- Dad, can we go swimming there? - Yeah, we could go swimming, yeah.
Ten, nine...
...eight, seven, six...
...five, four, three...
...two, one!
Let go!
Our one isn't going up.
- Isn't? - Isn't? It is going up.
No, it's not. It's going a different way than all the others.
- It's catching up. - Yeah, it's catching up.
No, Dad. It's going in the opposite direction.
We got any of that wine left?
Good morning.
Get off!
- Wake up! - What are you doing?
It's Christmas!
- It's Christmas morning. - It's Christmas!
Mommy leaves them this way.
- Oh, are we going outside? - No, no, no.
Wait, wait, wait! One at a time!
Oh, a telescope.
--complete and all the stars that you can stick on your ceiling.
- The whole Milky Way. - Are they light up?
- Oh, look! - A scarf!
I love it.
Thank you, darling. I mean Santa Claus.
What have you got for me, man? A ball!
I can't go to sleep.
- I must be jet lagged. - Yeah. Sure.
Can we go outside and watch the stars?
Maybe tomorrow.
Just close your eyes and think of something nice.
Mom, do you want to play ball with me?
In a minute, darling, play with Lucas.
- I can't believe you, you're hopeless! - What?
I hide that thing and forget where I put it.
I was checking to see about the house we put our bid on in Japan.
Liar.
The truth is I got a text saying that Yunioshi
has been given a two-year extension on this contract.
Which means the two of us are doing the same job.
- And that can only really mean one thing. - They can't fire you.
That would be too expensive. Don't worry!
Well, I do worry. Because we can't afford to lose this job, can we?
Hey, Dad, come and play with us.
I could go back to work.
- Maybe it's time. - In Japan?
No.
Oh, you want to go home?
It's not the worst idea, is it?
Well, you should think about it. But I'm going to play with the boys now, so...
Here, Dad!
That has to be the worst jump ever.
Lucas!
Go get it, Lucas! Go on!
Henry, the boys!
- Lucas! - Dad!
Lucas!
Mom!
Help!
- Lucas! - Mom!
Lucas!
- Lucas! - Help me!
Get me out of here!
Mom!
Lucas, stay there.
Mom!
Mom, swim towards me!
Be careful!
Grab that mattress!
Lucas, grab that mattress!
Swim!
Mom!
I want to go home!
- Grab my hand! - Mom!
- Help! - Lucas!
Lucas!
Help!
Lucas!
Lucas, go under!
Mom!
Help...
Mom...
Mom!
- Lucas! - Mom!
Please.
Never do that to me again, Mom.
- Mom! Never do that to me again, Mom. - I'm here.
We have to find someplace safe.
I'm here.
- Mom, look at that tree. That tree over there. - Yes, yes.
This is perfect. It's perfect.
Careful, Lucas! Careful, don't! Don't move!
Stay very still.
I was a brave kid, Mom... but I'm scared.
I'm scared, too.
Is it over?
I don't know. I don't know.
Mom?
What?
You're bleeding, Mom.
It's okay.
- I can't see you like this. - It's okay.
Sorry... I just...
You go first.
That tree there, the big one.
Do you think we can climb it?
Okay, let's go.
Dad!
Wait! Did you hear that?
- Mom, there's nothing we can do. - Wait!
We are almost there. We have to get to safety.
No, we have to help that boy.
Mom, if another wave catches us down here, we will die!
We have to climb that tree right now.
Come on.
- Where are you? - Mom, look at you, we need help!
We cannot risk it.
We can't risk it, Mom. Come on.
Listen.
What if that boy was Simon or Thomas?
What if they needed help?
- You want someone to help them, wouldn't you? - Simon and Thomas are dead!
Even if it's the last thing we do.
Where are you?
Dad!
Look there, Mama, I see.
Are you okay?
Okay, okay.
What's your name?
I'm Lucas, what's your name?
- Daniel. - Okay, Daniel.
You'll be okay, we're gonna get you out, okay?
Lift him.
It's all right. It's all right.
Are you okay?
It’s okay, it's okay! Don't worry.
You stay here, I'll be back.
- Mom, I'm coming down, give me a second. - No, I can do it.
- Mom, I'm coming down. - I can do it, Lucas!
Just stay there, please.
Mom. Mom.
Thank you. Thank you.
Did you hear that?
Mama, look. They are coming for us.
Hey, over here!
Hey!
Climb down, Lucas.
No, no, no!
Please, no!
- Lucas? - Mom, I'm here.
Thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
My boys!
I cannot see them, my boys.
My boys.
Don't let them take me anywhere without you.
Don't worry, Mom. I'm not gonna leave you alone, I promise.
Where is Daniel? Daniel?
Daniel?
Lucas, where's Daniel?
I don't know.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you!
- It's so cold in here. - It's not cold, Mom.
Mom.
Mom, what's wrong?
I need some antibiotics. Look in the cupboard.
I can't read the labels. They're all in Thai.
There's got to be English. Look at the sides.
Let me look, Lucas.
Oh, thank God!
Oh, please!
See that boy?
I'm all he's got in the world. Do you understand?
I'm a doctor, too. I've got a lot of bleeding. You've got to stop it.
Please, I need some antibiotics. Please help.
- Are you okay? - I lost my husband and two children.
If anything happens to me...
What color is it?
- What? - My leg.
- Is it still red? - Yes, it's still red.
- What does that mean? - It's good.
As long as it doesn't turn black.
You need to eat something.
Eat it.
- So bossy! - I wonder who I take after.
Hello.
What's your name?
My name's Maria, and this is my son, Lucas. What's your name?
Give her some tangerine.
She must be starving.
Be careful!
Be careful, Lucas.
Turn your head to the side, please. You'll choke if you don't.
Please, please! She needs help.
Turn her head! Help her, Lucas, help her.
Mom, are you okay?
Mom, Mom... are you okay?
What are you doing?
Mom, are you okay?
Stop it, Mom, stop it! That's enough!
Mom, stop it! Mom!
Mom, stop it!
Francesca!
Francesca! Francesca!
Lucas, look at this place. It's so busy in here.
You got to go and do something.
Go and help people. You're good at it.
- What do you want me to do? - Something. Anything.
Will you be alright?
Come on, Lucas! I'm not... going anywhere.
- I promise. - Okay.
Bernström! Bernström! From Sweden.
Your family?
Agda, Joseph, Morten.
- You're looking for your family? - Have you seen them, Bernström?
Okay, calm down! I will help you. Okay?
Agda... Morten... Joseph.
I'll try and help you. Okay.
Okay.
Agda Bernström?
Excuse me, are you Joseph Bernström or Morten Bernström?
Morten Bernström?
Excuse me! Excuse me!
I'm looking for my... my son.
- Your son? - Peter Berry.
- Yes. He'll be wondering where I am. - Okay.
Peter Berry?
Morten Bernström?
Agda Benstrom? Peter Berry? Joseph--
Anna Marie.
- Anna Marie Dubraun. - Sorry, what's your name again?
Anna Marie Dubraun. Anyone?
Renata Castorini.
Tatiana... Tatiana Chernyshova.
Joseph Bernström, anyone?
Agda Bernström? Renata Castorini?
Anna Marie Dubraun?
- Morten Bernström? - Ja?
- Morten Bernström from Sweden? - Ja.
- I know your dad. - Papa?
Yeah, your papa, he's here.
- I'll bring him here. Okay? - Yes.
No, no, no, you need to stay here.
I will bring your papa here. Okay?
No! No, you have to stay here, you have to stay here,
because it's a very long way, and you you have to rest. Okay?
Okay.
Bernström!
Where is my Mom?
Mom?
Mom?!
Mom!
No! No! What are you doing?
No, this is my Mom's bed! Get off!
Get off!
- It's okay! Take it easy, boy! - No! My Mom was here. And she took her file.
Look, you have to come with me. I will help you.
Okay?
Okay.
What's your name?
- What's your name? - Lucas Bennett.
Where were you staying?
In the... uh...
The Orchid Beach Resort in Khao Lak.
Was somebody else traveling with you?
Lucas?
My dad, my two little brothers.
Do you know what happened to them?
Is there somebody we could call?
My granddad.
What's his name?
Bryan, but... I... I don't remember his number.
Lucas?
Maria!
Lucas!
Maria!
Lucas!
Maria!
- Hey man! You all right? - It seems till I hear me.
- I'll be up in a second. - Don't, they're sending trucks to drive us up the mountains.
- Just hang on tight, alright? They'll be here soon. - Yeah, I know.
- Can you tell them I'm back? - Yeah, sure. Hold on.
Hey boys, your Daddy's back!
- Dad! Dad! - Dad!
- Dad!
There were a whole lot of helicopters just flew by.
- Did they? - Yeah!
Mom and Lucas...
Why don't you come down here a minute, Thomas?
What about me?
You stay and see if you can see any more helicopters, okay?
- Okay. - Good boy!
You're almost there, buddy.
You got it?
I still haven't found them.
Did you see a lot of dead people?
What happened is very serious, Thomas.
- Not Mom and Lucas, right? - No, I didn't see them.
I bumped my feet on the roof, it was really hot.
- When everyone was leaving. - Oh.
Can we leave yet?
I need you to... uhm...
I need you to do me a favor, Thomas.
I've heard everyone is going to the mountains, to a shelter where it's really safe...
- ...but I can't go with you. - You can't leave us alone again, Dad.
I have to keep looking for them, you see?
- You have to look after Simon. - No!
No, stay with us, I can't look...
I've never looked after someone before.
- I'm scared. - I know, I know.
I'm scared too.
But you know... You know, the most scary bit for me...
- When the water hit? - No.
After that, when I came up, I was all on my own.
That was the scariest part.
And then I saw the two of you clinging to the tree.
I didn't feel so scared anymore, because I knew I wasn't on my own. You see?
Well, what if Mommy and Lucas are on their own right now...
Imagine how scared they'll be.
- We'll look for them together... - No! Thomas, you have to look after Simon.
And I'm going to keep looking for them.
Okay?
I know you understand.
Hello?
Yeah, I can hear you.
Nobody knows what's going on.
Are you alright? Have you lost someone?
We're fine. We just want to get out of here.
Excuse me. I've been trying to place a call back home all day.
I wonder if I could use your phone? It will be very quick.
Look around you man, everybody's needing something right now.
But our battery is almost dead, and we need the phone.
I'll see you in the morning. Okay?
- You're not coming? - I'm not coming, wee one, no.
Thomas will take care of you, all right?
Listen to me, you're going to behave yourselves, okay? And you stay with this group.
And I'm going to be with you just as soon as I can. Okay?
You're gonna behave yourselves. Okay?
I love you.
- Will you look out for my boys for me, please? - Come with us.
You know it's useless.
I can't stop looking.
I love you. I'll be with you tomorrow, I promise.
I love you.
Maria!
Lucas!
Maria!
Oh, no. No.
Hey man, you okay?
Get in the car. We'll drive you somewhere safer.
My wife didn't want to come to Thailand for Christmas holidays.
Because of my leg.
I insisted, my little girl, Gina.
She's just two.
The noise woke me up.
I was alone in the room.
I went out to the terrace and saw the sea coming in land.
It took me five seconds to reach the stairs, but the water was already there.
It was not more than five seconds.
On the bed, I found a note from my wife saying that they were at the beach.
- You were at the Orchid, right? - Yeah.
My whole family was around the swimming pool when the water hit.
I found my middle son first, Thomas, he was on top of this really tall tree.
It took me ages to convince him to come down, because he was so scared, you know.
And I found my little one, Simon, he was holding on top of a palm tree.
He's only five.
I sent them to the mountains.
You know, so that I can keep looking for my wife and my eldest son.
Toughest choice I ever made.
- Have you called home yet? - I can't find a phone.
I'm saving my battery, just in case my family calls.
Please.
Thank you! I'll be very quick, I promise.
- Yes? - Bryan?
Yes, Henry, thank God! How are you doing?
- Did you hear from anyone yet? - No Henry, you're the first to call.
Is everybody all right? Henry?
Maria and Lucas are not here.
What do you mean, not there?
The water came and swept everyone away.
I found Thomas and Simon, but not Maria and Lucas!
I don't know what to do or where to look for them!
Henry, Henry, calm down!
- Henry? Henry? - I have to go. Lots of people need to use this phone, okay?
- I will call you later. - Henry?
Sorry, sorry.
Thank you.
- What do you want me to do? - You can't leave it like that.
- Go on, come on. - Go on!
Come on, man, come on!
I should call him back.
- Yes, Henry? - Bryan, it's me again. Look...
I promise you I won't stop looking until I find them. Okay?
I don't know what I'm gonna do, because it's nighttime now, but I'll....
I'll look in all the hospitals, the shelters and everything, okay?
And I'll... I will find them, I promise you that.
- I'll call you when I do. - Okay.
- Okay!
Thanks.
Can I go with you?
- I'm scared. - Close of eyes and think of something nice.
May I sit with you?
How old are you?
Almost 74. And you?
Seven and a half.
Get these ants off me...
- Is he alright? - Yeah, he's asleep, he's fine.
A couple of ant bites on him, but he's alright.
You like looking at stars, don't you?
I do. I can find most of the constellations.
Here in the sky, it's different.
Some of those stars have been burned out for a long, long time.
Did you know that?
They're dead, aren't they?
They're dead, but once they were so bright...
that their light is still travelling through space.
We can still see them.
How can you tell which ones are dead and which ones are not?
No, you can't. It's impossible!
It's a beautiful mystery, isn't it?
Lucas Bennett, can you come with me?
Sit here.
Your name is Lucas Bennett, is that right?
- Yeah. - And your mother's name is Maria Bennett?
Is that correct?
We'd like you to look at these things, please, and see if you recognize any of them?
Have a good look.
Take your time.
- Does anything look familiar? - I don't know.
You don't know?
- Do you recognize anything? - I don't think so.
You don't think so?
Lucas?
Could you please come with us?
Mom.
- Where the hell have you been? - Where the hell have I been?
Where the hell were you? You promised me you weren't going anywhere.
I thought you were dead, Mom.
- Sorry. - I thought you were dead.
We're so sorry.
Someone must have changed her records during surgery.
How is she?
She has had surgery on her chest, but she lost a lot of blood.
She was too weak to have her leg operated on.
She has to go back to surgery when she recovers.
But she'll be okay, right?
Nothing. What next?
We should...
We should try to get a ride to Takua Pa Hospital.
- Where are my kids? - They've taken them away.
- They wouldn't let me go with them. I'm sorry. - Where?
I don't know.
- I need to pee. - You have to wait, Simon.
Mom! Mom, wake up.
Mom, guess who I just saw outside?
My leg. How is my leg?
Still red.
Please, my Mom. Her wound's looking real bad.
We're doing the best we can.
We are taking your Mom to surgery, right away.
No, no, five minutes. Give me five minutes, please. Please!
I don't want you to slow down.
These are the names of my little girl Gina and Kathy, my wife. She's American.
- Would you check the list for me? - Of course.
Please, they told us our daughter could be in Surat Thani. We've already been to this hospital.
We have checked all hospitals. But this one, please.
Five minutes, please! Just only five minutes!
Okay!
I won't be long. I'll be right back.
Lucas... Lucas...
Is there anything left in the can?
Alright, I'll get you something.
Dad?
Dad!
- I need to pee. - Can you hold it?
No.
Simon, what are you doing?!
Get back on the bus right now!
Hurry up, they're going to leave us here. What are you doing?!
- No luck. - Sorry.
Sorry, and thanks for waiting.
Okay, we go now.
We're coming!
We have to move now!
Dad!
It's Lucas!
Lucas! Lucas!
- Lucas! - Lucas!
- Simon! Thomas! - Lucas! Lucas!
Are you okay?
Lucas!
- Dad! - Lucas!
Dad! Dad!
Let's go, no need to wait.
- Mom is here. - What?
She's really weak. She said some weird stuff sometimes.
The nurses are going to try to operate on her as soon as they can.
Mom, look who's here.
Hey! Hey, my darling.
Mom.
- Is everyone okay? - We're all okay.
- I'm going to die. - No, no.
Is it okay to take this off?
Here, I've got it.
- You came back? - Yes.
I can rest now.
Maria, what? What, what darling?
- I'm dying. - No! No.
- You're going to be fine. - Take care of my babies.
Hey, that's not why I came here for.
You're gonna be fine, they're going to take good care of you, OK?
I promise you we are going to be fine.
- Henry. I'm scared. - We're gonna be fine.
Henry!
Sweetheart, I promise we're going to be okay.
We're taking her for surgery. We need to take her now.
Okay.
I love you. You're gonna be okay.
I love you so much. I love you.
I love you, Maria.
You know that, don't you?
I'm sorry if I've let you down in any way...
Lucas...
thanks for taking care of Mom.
We took care of each other.
Yeah.
- Dad? - Yeah?
There is something I didn't tell Mom...
and I really need her to know.
I have a family too.
I've been saving my strength...
Because I want to see them... one more time.
Oh, do you have to?
- We don't want you to feel any pain. - I'm afraid to go to sleep.
You're in good hands.
Close your eyes and think of something nice.
Think of something nice.
Mom's okay, Lucas.
We're going home.
Careful.
Mr. Bennett, I'm Oliver Tudpole from Zurich Insurance.
They have sent me to take care of your family. You have nothing to worry about now.
In a few hours, you'll be at Singapore General Hospital.
Where your wife will receive the best treatment in your living.
These people will take you onto the plane. I'll see you when you're there.
Have a safe flight.
Where are we going?
They're taking us to Singapore. You'll be safe there, okay?
Please take your seat, we'll be taking off shortly.
Okay.
- Can I just... - Yeah, okay. One minute.
How are you?
Here, with you.
Mom, guess what?
I saw Daniel again...
He was so happy.
He was in somebody's arms.
I bet it was his Dad, Mom.
I love you.
Lucas, I love you so much.
Thank you. Thank you.
I'm sorry, but you have to get back to your seat now.
Fasten your seat belts, please.
- I don't want to. - No? You have to fasten your seatbelt in the plane.
It's all right.