Tsunami survivor speaks out on The Impossible

ASIAN Tsunami survivor Luke Simon has said that the new box office film, The Impossible, is an ‘educational’ look at the horrific events of nine years ago.

Former Preston School and Yeovil College student Luke and three of his friends were among the lucky ones who were able to scramble to safety when the giant waves of the tsunami struck Thailand on Boxing Day  2004.

Luke’s brother, Piers, 33, was not so fortunate and he was tragically killed in the disaster which claimed tens of thousands of lives in Asia.

The movie, The Impossible, stars Ewan McGregor as Henry and is based around him looking for his family on a Thai resort following the tsunami.

Luke went to watch the film last week with his wife Naomi, his parents Henry and Celia, and good pal Ben Seyfried who was one of the friends who survived the tsunami in 2004.

And Luke said: “The film has been very well made. It is extremely realistic and true to the event we experienced.

“I liked the fact that the film was not far-fetched and hadn’t been sensationalised.

“Due to its realism – I think it is actually educational.”

Luke will be talking with presenter Emma Britton on BBC Somerset 96.5FM tomorrow (Friday, January 11) at 11am about The Impossible.

Soon after his brother’s untimely death the family at Chilthorne Domer  set up the Piers Simon Appeal in his memory and has raised more than £500,000 to help in areas around the globe hit by natural disasters.

The PSA has evolved with another initiative called School in a Bag which provides basic stationery, a lunch box and drinks bottle for children in developing countries.

PHOTO: Luke Simon, above left, with supporters of the Piers Simon Appeal and the School in a Bag initiative before taking part in last year's Yeovil Half Marathon.

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