Married At First Sight star Cameron Merchant has recalled the terrifying moment he was separated from his parents during the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami.
The 40-year-old was holidaying in Thailand with his parents when the deadly natural disaster struck.
Cam revealed in a candid post shared to Instagram that during the ordeal the three family members were frantically looking for each other for over eight hours.
’20 years ago today in Patong Phuket Thailand I experienced something that changed my life and many others forever. The Boxing Day Tsunami,’ he began.
‘One of the largest natural disasters in history. I lost my parents for over eight hours before thankfully being reunited in the evening.’
‘Unfortunately so many others did not. Over 230,000 lost their lives across 15 countries and I was one of the lucky ones.’
Married At First Sight star Cameron Merchant (pictured) has recalled the terrifying moment he was separated from his parents during the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami
The 40-year-old was holidaying in Thailand with his parents when the deadly natural disaster struck
Cam revealed he commemorated those who were impacted by the natural disaster this year with his family.
He also shared photos of the hotel he stayed in which was completely destroyed by the tsunami.
‘I took these photos at our hotel we stayed at on Patong Beach Hotel Merlin.’
‘Photo 6 was supposed to be our original room I booked but it was double booked for one night.’
‘The morning of the Tsunami we were moving down to check in to it… (Talk about the Universe protecting us),’ he continued.
‘This day changed my perspective on life, the way I live it forever and how I am each day.’
‘I never dealt with the trauma and stress of what I witnessed and went through for years until I suffered a break down some years later but has made me the person I am today.’
Cam went on to say he is ‘grateful to still be here, to be with my family, paying tributes to those affected here’.
He shared photos of the hotel he had stayed in which was completely destroyed by the tsunami
‘This day changed my perspective on life, the way I live it forever and how I am each day,’ he wrote
‘Sending so much love to those that were affected 20 years ago, those who lost their lives & those still carrying the effects,’ he added.
The catastrophic tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history and killed over 225,000 people across 14 countries.
A series of large tsunamis up to 30m high caused mass devastation and triggered a worldwide humanitarian response.
As a reminder of Cam’s dance with fate, he has a tattoo on his right bicep featuring the three words: ‘Live, Love, Embrace’.
