Elementary School Boy Skips Class, Floats on Styrofoam at Beach; Rescued After Fisherman Reports Incident

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Kuan Jui-ping, Miaoli County, June 17) A primary school boy in Miaoli County skipped class and went alone to the Houlong seaside, where he was found floating on a piece of styrofoam at the estuary of Zhonggang Creek. A fisherman discovered him and immediately reported the incident, resulting in a successful rescue. The Miaoli County Government Education Division stated today that the boy's family situation is relatively vulnerable and will refer the case to a tertiary counseling center for professional psychological and social support.

The fisherman who discovered the boy reported that yesterday afternoon, he saw a boy carrying a broken fishing rod, asking other fishermen for bait and briefly joining them in fishing. However, possibly out of boredom, the boy soon went off to play on the sand. Shortly afterward, the boy was seen sitting on a piece of styrofoam, floating in the water—an extremely dangerous situation. Fortunately, the tide was receding at the time, and the styrofoam became stuck on a sandbar. The fisherman quickly alerted the coast guard, who arrived and safely brought the boy back to shore.

The Miaoli County Fire Department, notified by the coast guard, dispatched personnel and vehicles from the Houlong substation to the scene. Upon arrival, the boy was unharmed and conscious. He told the emergency responders that he had not attended school that day and had gone alone to Waipu Beach in Houlong to play in the water, using the styrofoam as a floating device without informing anyone or being accompanied.

Chiu Wan-ting, Director of the Special Education Division at the Miaoli County Government Education Division, explained today that the fourth-grade boy comes from a family with relatively weak support systems. His homeroom teacher noticed his absence during morning roll call and attempted to contact his parents, but received no response. The school then coordinated with police to conduct a home visit, but no one was present. Later that afternoon, they received a report that the boy had been found playing alone by the sea and had been rescued. School staff immediately went to the scene and waited for the boy’s father to arrive from his workplace at the coast guard outpost before taking the boy home.

Chiu noted that the case will now be referred to a tertiary counseling and consultation center, where professional psychologists and social workers will provide ongoing counseling and support. Additionally, all schools have been instructed to strengthen water safety education, and parents are urged to remain vigilant about their children’s whereabouts and to prevent them from playing in dangerous waters. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150617

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