(L) A family photo with two adults and three children standing in front of cherry blossoms. (R) Juladi 'Jude' Khammoungkhoune, 13, holds a fish while wearing a life jacket and smiling.
Juladi ‘Jude’ Khammoungkhoune (right) was the sole survivor among his family members (left) who were on a boat off the California coast when it capsized (Pictures: CNN/GoFundMe)

A 13-year-old boy escaped from a capsized boat by crawling into a cooler and floating ashore.

Juladi ‘Jude’ Khammoungkhoune, 13, was the sole survivor after the boat flipped off the coast of central California, killing his father and four other relatives.

The vessel tipped over on the evening of November 2 in Bodega Bay, while Jude and his family members were fishing for crab.

He was wearing a life jacket when he entered the cooler. Jude’s dad, Prasong, hung on to the cooler but eventually let go so his son could get to shore quicker.

The teen boy's father, Prasong, holds a large fish and gives a thumbs up on a boat.
The teen boy’s father, Prasong, died after letting go of a cooler so his son could get to shore more quickly (Picture: CNN/GoFundMe)

‘It was pretty terrifying to see my dad go too soon,’ Jude told KGO.

‘I prayed to Jesus Christ and all of my family members that I could make it out alive, and get to see my family and everybody that I know.’

The cooler washed ashore several hours later.

Exhausted, Jude fell asleep on the beach and waited until the sun rose to look for help. First responders found him in the morning and transported him to a hospital.

A Sonoma County Sheriff's Office vehicle on a road near the California coast
The search and rescue effort involved eight local, state and federal agencies (Picture: CNN/GoFundMe)

Hours later, search and rescue crews recovered the body of Jude’s 17-year-old cousin, Johnny Phommathep II, according to US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Levi Read.

A search effort for the rest of the missing boaters by eight federal, state and local agencies was suspended on Sunday evening after scouring over 2,100 square miles.

‘The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly,’ said US Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael Zapawa, according to the Independent.

Prasong, also known as Song, was a father-of-three, with younger children aged 6 and 10.

‘Jude, his oldest son, miraculously survived, washing ashore after hours alone in the sea,’ stated a GoFundMe page set up by his family.

‘Though we’re endlessly grateful to have him safe, the family has lost its anchor.’

The father also left behind his wife to care for their young children.

‘Song filled his family’s life with joy, strength, and boundless love, bringing home his daily catch to share around the dinner table,’ stated the GoFundMe.

‘It brings a small comfort to know he was taken doing what he loved most, but his absence leaves a vast emptiness.’

The fundraiser had received more than $55,700 as of Tuesday afternoon.

‘It’s a really good thing I’m back with my family cause I’m happy to see my family,’ Jude said, ‘And every one of my family members are supporting me throughout this journey without my father.’

The five family members died more than two years after a boat capsized on the Hudson River in New York City, killing two people including a seven-year-old boy.

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