‘Eternally grateful’: N.C. man searching for strangers who saved his life in North Myrtle Beach

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – A North Carolina man is searching for the strangers who helped save his life in North Myrtle Beach.

Durham couple Mike and Sandra Burton came down to North Myrtle Beach in June to celebrate their niece’s graduation.

However, a relaxing day on the beach quickly took a scary turn when a large wave hit Mike, knocking him unconscious.

“They say your hearing is the last thing to go,” Mike said. “I could hear them, but I just couldn’t respond to them.

Sandra said she and their niece pulled Mike’s lifeless body out of the water when other people on the beach ran over to help.

A few of the people stepping in to help identified themselves as doctors and nurses.

Sandra said the five strangers worked tirelessly on Mike, including one man who gave CPR while waiting for first responders.

“He would not give up,” Sandra said. “Every time they said he had no pulse, he continued as if it were his father or brother. He had the same determination in my eyes that I had in mine, that he would not give up, and my husband was not going to die on that beach. We’re just eternally grateful to all five of them.”

Mike spent a week at Grand Strand Medical Center, four of those days in the ICU.

Mike said the doctors were shocked that he was up and walking after the fourth day.

“They were like Mr. Burton; they can’t believe it,” Mike said. “They were just crying of joy because I came in there lifeless.”

Now, the couple wants to find the strangers and express their gratitude.

“Just thank you,” Mike said. “Thank you. I’m thankful that they were there, and whatever I can do, without a doubt, I would do it.”

We just hope that somehow, someway, they’re able to reach us,” Sandra said. “Without God using them, he wouldn’t be here.”

Mike made a full recovery and went back to work as a truck driver just a few weeks later.

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