Discovering a group of students struggling in the middle of the fierce water and began to drown, Phan Thanh Phu, 26, a Youth Union member in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, with no hesitation, immediately rushed to save the victims. The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union has granted the ‘Brave Youth’ Badge to Phu in recognition of his brave action.

Vice President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Students’ Union, Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union and President of the Da Nang Students’ Union Le Cong Hung (right) grants the ‘Brave Youth’ badge from the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to Phan Thanh Phu. Photo: NGOC QUOC

Less than a month ago, swimmers at the Nam O beach in Lien Chieu District were shocked when witnessing the tragic drowning accident of a student. Specifically, at 5:30 p.m. on May 19, 5 local secondary school students together went to the Nam O Beach, near the Nam O temple, for swimming.

Unfortunately, all of the five schoolboys fell into the whirlpool and lost their footing. In the middle of the fierce waters, the 3 students managed to swim to the shore by themselves. Hearing the cries of children, people swimming nearby quickly shouted for help.

At this time, upon having heard non-stop shouting from witnesses, Phu, who was standing nearby, rushed into the waters to save another student. Phu and other witnesses gave first aid to the 4 children. Unluckily, the remaining boy was swept away by the water.

“As soon as I heard the cries for help, I immediately observed a boy struggling in the middle of the fierce waters. At that time, in my mind, I must be determined to save the people in distress at any price. While being in panic, the rescued boys said to me that no one was missing any more. After providing safe first aid to them, I went home for rest. In the evening, I was stunned when I heard from my relatives that there was still a boy missing and he was my relative”, sadly said Phu.

Phu was born and raised in the Nam O coastal site. Since childhood, he was trained to swim quite well. Sharing about the story of saving lives less than a month ago, Phu said emotionally: “The thing that bothers me the most is that I was not able to save the remaining boy. If only I was awake enough to observe more closely, maybe I could have saved him. After the tragic incident, hopefully, families will pay more attention to their children in the process of learning and playing, especially when they intentionally go to streams, rivers or beaches for bathing. In addition, associations and schools need to pay heed to teaching necessary swimming skills to students”.

Vice President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Students’ Union, Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union, and President of the Da Nang Students’ Union Le Cong Hung said that the granting of the ‘Brave Youth’ badge awarded to Phu by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union honours his brave achievements in saving lives. Phu is a shining example for other Youth Union members and young people to follow.

Currently, drowning is still an issue of deep concern. The Da Nang Youth Union hopes that its affiliates, members and youth will work together to further strengthen swimming teaching activities, improve drowning prevention and control skills for students and avoid regrettable accidents”, shared Hung.

Upon the reception of the precious award, Phu confided: “I didnot think I would be awarded this noble award. When I heard the cries for help, I knew how to swim, so I immediately jumped into the sea to save the people. I think anyone in that situation would do the same.”

Reporting by NGOC QUOC - Translating by A.THU