Mike used to have a fun trip, but now he's collecting corpses.

Michael Tyrell was a carefree 21-year-old, enjoying the simple pleasures of life on the beautiful Phi Phi Island in Thailand. He had spent the past eight months traveling the world and was taking some time to relax on the island before returning home. Little did he know, his world was about to be turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

One morning, as Tyrell was having breakfast, he suddenly heard screams and commotion. Confused and curious, he looked towards the shore and saw a large crowd of people running in fear. The sound of helicopters could be heard above, leading him to believe that there was a terrorist attack taking place. In reality, it was the devastating Boxing Day tsunami.

As he watched in horror, he noticed buildings exploding and chaos erupting all around him. Without hesitation, he joined the stampede of people, running for his life. Tyrell vividly remembers the moment he came to a fork in the road and made the split-second decision to turn left, following a small hill. A stranger, who he believes was an angel, called out to him and guided him to higher ground.

From this vantage point, Tyrell witnessed the unimaginable. The entire island was being ravaged by the powerful tsunami waves, destroying everything in its path. He was filled with a sense of helplessness and fear as he watched the disaster unfold before his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, the waves finally subsided. Tyrell cautiously emerged from his hiding spot and was met with the devastating aftermath. He saw a woman's lifeless body on the ground and realized the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, he joined the other survivors in pulling people to safety and searching for those who were still trapped.

Despite the chaos and destruction, Tyrell found a sense of purpose in helping others. He and a few others used a broken door as a makeshift stretcher to carry the wounded and deceased to a makeshift hospital. It was a harrowing experience that left a lasting impact on him.

The following days were filled with grief, as Tyrell and the remaining survivors tried to come to terms with the loss of thousands of lives on the island. He found solace in helping others and played a vital role in the recovery efforts.

Tyrell's life was forever changed by the tsunami. He returned to Australia and became a lawyer, using his skills to advocate for the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill. He eventually took over his father's business, Survival, which sells first-aid kits for emergency situations. But the memories of that fateful day in Thailand never left him.

On the 10th anniversary of the disaster, Tyrell returned to Phi Phi Island. It was a bittersweet experience as he encountered a man whom he had carried to safety during the tsunami. The emotional reunion reminded him of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami, and Tyrell has returned to Phi Phi Island with his wife and children. He wants to share his story firsthand with his children, who have shown a keen interest in what happened. It is a chance for him to reflect on the past and appreciate the second chance at life that he was given. Despite the trauma and guilt he carries with him, Tyrell has found a way to use his experience to help others and make the most out of every day.

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