By Zabidi Tusin

DUNGUN, Malaysia - A fishing trip for two brothers and their father nearly turned into a tragedy when their boat capsized in rough seas here.

Yaacub Osman, 54, and his sons Norafzanizam Yaacub, 26, Norhasrol Yaacub, 23, were thrown into the sea with Yaacub trapped under the deck.

His sons managed to free him before he swam to shore to get help. The two brothers, however, hung on for dear life until they were rescued.

They had left the Kuala Dungun jetty on Monday for their trip but decided to turn back when they saw the weather turning bad at about 2pm.

They were about to reach the shore when their boat was caught by huge waves, causing the vessel to capsize.

Norafzanizam and Norhasrol had to hold on to a floating oil barrel until they were spotted and picked up by a passing fishing vessel at 7.35pm.

Dungun OCPD Supt Dahlan Mohd Noor said the three men were rushed to the Dungun Hospital after they complained of breathing difficulties.

However, all of them were allowed to return home after their condition improved at about 9pm.