Bravely save people in flood water

Chairman of Hai Van Ward People's Committee Nguyen Thuc Dung (right) presented a certificate of merit to Mr. Tran Dinh Chien for his achievement in saving 5 people at Truong Dinh residential group. Photo: KH

Mr. Chien's brave and humane actions not only saved people in trouble but also spread the spirit of chivalry, responsibility and courage in everyday life.

During the recent heavy rains, many roads and residential areas in Hai Van ward, especially Truong Dinh residential group, were deeply flooded. However, some people still ignored the danger and moved through the flooded areas, leading to unsafe situations. In the raging water, Mr. Tran Dinh Chien bravely saved people, making everyone admire him.

Born and raised by the Truong Dinh River, Mr. Chien was familiar with water from a young age and was a good swimmer. Growing up, he worked as a fisherman, fishing on the river to raise four children. Although life was difficult, he was always loved by the people in the neighborhood because of his honest and righteous nature, and his willingness to help people in trouble.

Recalling the morning of October 28, he said that at around 4 a.m., while sleeping, he heard a loud cry for help outside. A woman who had gone to work early was swept away by floodwaters while crossing a road near her house. “I woke up, grabbed a flashlight and rushed out. She was caught in the rushing water. I and a few people in the neighborhood quickly rushed out to help her into a nearby house. If we had been even a second slower, she would have been swept away by the water into the Truong Dinh River,” said Mr. Chien.

Not stopping there, at around 3:30 pm the same day, Mr. Chien was having dinner when he heard people calling for help from the field in front of his house. He rushed out and discovered 4 people (2 men, 2 women) whose boat had capsized, clinging to an electric pole in the middle of the vast sea of water.

Only one of them was wearing a life jacket, the rest were panicking in the cold water. He quickly rushed out to get the boat, started the engine and sped towards them. The boat was small and the water was strong, he had to skillfully control it to approach the group of people in distress.

He prioritized rescuing the two women, bringing them safely to the house, then returned to approach the two exhausted men clinging to the electric pole. Thanks to Chien’s timely response, all four were brought to safety. “At that time, the water was flowing very fast, if we had been a few minutes slower, they could have been swept away. I just thought that I had to save them by any means,” Chien recalled.

That day was not the first time Mr. Chien had saved someone. He shared that, having worked as a fisherman for many years on the Truong Dinh River, he had rescued people in distress many times. In 2023, he had twice rescued people in flooded areas in the Truong Dinh fields.

“If anyone were in the same situation as me, saving people would be the top priority. Even though I knew it was dangerous, I couldn’t watch people being swept away by the raging water. I did this not to be praised, but out of compassion, wanting to help people in distress,” Mr. Chien shared.

Mr. Vo Van Thanh, Head of Truong Dinh residential group, shared: “Mr. Chien is a gentle person, lives in harmony, and often helps people. Every time there is heavy rain, he proactively checks and warns of deeply flooded areas, and is ready to assist when people are in trouble. Mr. Chien's generosity is truly precious.”

In recognition of this brave action, Hai Van Ward People's Committee unexpectedly rewarded Mr. Tran Dinh Chien.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dung-cam-cuu-nguoi-giua-dong-nuoc-lu-3309007.html