An American family were elated after a memorial bench swept out to sea during Hurricane Helene in 2024 washed up more than a thousand miles away on a beach in Bermuda.

The seat was in memory of father and husband Medhat “Mike” Sadiku, a US national who passed away in 2012. It was erected on the Dunedin Causeway in Pinellas County, Florida, in 2018.

When the storm tore through the area, the bench was ripped up from a concrete slab that it was bolted to and ended up in the ocean.

The Sadiku family tried to find the seat but were unsuccessful and did not expect to see it again.

However, on September 18 they received a message on social media from Bermudian Angela Dill, who had spotted the bench at Southlands Park Beach in Warwick.

Ms Dill, who was grieving herself because it was close to the anniversary of her son’s death, said she was touched when she noticed an inscription on the bench that read, “It’ll be alright”.

She also noticed the name Medhat “Mike” Sadiku. She headed home to do some research online, where she found Mr Sadiku’s obituary.

Ms Dill was able to track down the family, which had moved to Illinois.

She messaged the Sadiku family and “the rest was history”.

The Sadiku family were overwhelmed with joy that their father’s bench had been found. Amanda, one of Mr Sadiku’s three daughters, said they were even considering visiting the island.

“Maybe that’s where dad wanted to be,” she added.

Ms Sadiku told The Royal Gazette: “Angela sent a beautiful message and I thought, ‘hold on’. Some of the family members could not believe it but I did.

“I saw the photos and said, ‘oh my gosh!’ It was very emotional, we were crying, laughing and very excited.

“It was so nice for her to go out of her way to find his obituary online and look us up. She goes by the name Angel and I said, ‘you are an angel, you are truly amazing’.”

Ms Sadiku shared the story on social media, writing: “My dad may be gone but somehow, his memory stays alive.”

She was soon contacted by Dalia Dangerfield, a journalist with Tampa-based media outlet Spectrum News, which carried a short segment about the incredible find.

The news organisation is scheduled to interview Ms Sadiku on Saturday for a follow-up feature.

Ms Dill had just finished work at a nearby Terceira's gas station and decided to go to the beach because it was a special place she and her late son had visited together.

“I was emotional, I couldn't wait to get off the beach. My tears were flowing,” Ms Dill recalled. “Then the bench appeared. It was so shocking to see a bench on the beach.

“It said ‘It’ll be alright’ and it was like it was a message of comfort from my loved one.

“I was very curious. I saw the name and thought, it’s not a Bermudian name.

“Then I noticed it was covered with shells, barnacles and algae — it felt like finding a message in a bottle.

“When I got home, I looked up the name and discovered it was a real person. I felt the urge to let the family know the bench was found and intact.”

Ms Dill added to her note that she had been remembering her own son when she found it.

“Early the next morning, I received a message thanking me for my heartfelt message, and sending me condolences on my son’s passing,” Ms Dill said.

“It brought us comfort and joy.

“The spirit of this man really touched me. It felt like our loved ones are still watching over us.”

Ms Sadiku said her family were overjoyed at the news.

She explained that they had placed the bench at the Florida beauty spot because they often used to visit there with Mr Sadiku.

Ms Sadiku said: “We would hang out on the causeway, hang up hammocks and enjoy the view.

“We put the quote ‘It’ll be alright’ on the bench because it was something my dad always used to say.

“He was a really smart guy. He loved reading books. He was very interested in history and learnt about all the different religions.

“He liked bands like Duran Duran and was the biggest Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls fan.

“He also liked to draw. He was what I would call a cool nerd.

“He was very laid back and was a very good dad.”

The family are trying to work out a way to get the bench back to the US and an American business has offered to try to help transport it there on a freight ship.

However, Ms Sadiku said that if it did not work out, she would not be upset if the bench remained in Bermuda.

“I am OK with leaving it in Bermuda. Clearly he wanted to be in Bermuda so we would have no problem with that at all,” she added.

“I’ve never been to Bermuda. If I do visit, I will definitely get in touch with Angel.”