Canuso was born near Zurich , Switzerland , to immigrants from southern Italy . He moved to the UK when he was 18 years old . Canuso survived the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004 , whilst on holiday in Ko Phra Thong , Thailand . He climbed a tree after seeing the first waves , and was trapped underwater after the tree snapped . He developed aquaphobia and did not swim in water for several years
Indian Ocean tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Jake Canuso