When Australian dad, Tony Lethbridge hadn’t heard from his son for over 24 hours, he knew something was wrong. His son, a healthy and active soccer player, aged 17, wasn’t someone who would just run off. The police suggested he wait, that maybe he had just run away. His son Samuel had a good family, a girlfriend and it simply wasn’t in his character to disappear without explanation. Tony knew this and decided he was going to do what he had to. This dad was going to rescue his son.

“Bugger this, I’m not going to sit around and wait.”

He recalled an incident a few years ago that ended in tragedy. Someone traveling down the same highway his son would have been traveling on veered off the road, crashing into the brush. This man’s car wasn’t found for five days and by then it was too late. Mr. Lethbridge wasn’t going to let that happen to his son. So he did what every badass dad out there would. He walked into his local airport with a fistful of cash. Slapped it on a desk and said “Mate, I’ve got $1,000. I need you to search as much as you can.”

Skyline Aviation Group, who had cancelled earlier flights because of high winds saw this dad’s resolve and immediately got into the air with Tony’s brother to start the search. 10 minutes into the flight, they spotted the car. As the helicopter dropped Samuel’s uncle down the road, Tony raced to the site in his car. Even with the helicopter hovering, the vehicle was hard to spot in the brush and the uncle saw no signs of life.

But as he approached, his nephew moved his head. He was injured, but alive. Rescued by the determination of an awesome dad who trusted his instincts and his love for his son.

 

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