Fanzu Sadenov. Photo courtesy of Ust-Kamenogorsk Emergency Situations Department
Fire-fighter Fanzu Sadenov from Ust-Kamenogorsk rescued three children who almost drowned in Ulba river on June 26, YK-news.kz writes. That evening 42-y.o. man was planing to spend some time with his wife at the river. Having parked the car, he suddenly heard calls for help. A woman standing at the shore was pointing at children who were carried away to a whirlpool by a fast stream. Fanzu plunged into the water on the spur of the moment. "First I brought out the girl, she was closer than the others. I pushed her to the shore, where there was no strong current. The mother met her there. Then I swam closer to the boys. The water was really sucking in there. Even with my strength and physical fitness it was difficult to survive," the rescuer said. According to Fanzu, while he was carrying out the first boy, the second one went under water. "The kid had already inhaled lots of water. He coughed for a long time when I brought him out. But the most important is that he is alive! I am a father myself and I haven't even thought at that moment what would happen to me. When I was in the water, there was a moment when I felt that the water was winning over me. But I did not give in!" the fire-fighter said. Fanzu did not tell his name to the kids' mother and only said he was a fire-fighter and rescuing people was his duty. However, local journalists quickly found the braveheart and made an interview with him. This is the place where the accident took place:
Fire-fighter Fanzu Sadenov from Ust-Kamenogorsk rescued three children who almost drowned in Ulba river on June 26, YK-news.kz writes.
That evening 42-y.o. man was planing to spend some time with his wife at the river. Having parked the car, he suddenly heard calls for help. A woman standing at the shore was pointing at children who were carried away to a whirlpool by a fast stream. Fanzu plunged into the water on the spur of the moment.
"First I brought out the girl, she was closer than the others. I pushed her to the shore, where there was no strong current. The mother met her there. Then I swam closer to the boys. The water was really sucking in there. Even with my strength and physical fitness it was difficult to survive," the rescuer said.
According to Fanzu, while he was carrying out the first boy, the second one went under water. "The kid had already inhaled lots of water. He coughed for a long time when I brought him out. But the most important is that he is alive! I am a father myself and I haven't even thought at that moment what would happen to me. When I was in the water, there was a moment when I felt that the water was winning over me. But I did not give in!" the fire-fighter said.
Fanzu did not tell his name to the kids' mother and only said he was a fire-fighter and rescuing people was his duty. However, local journalists quickly found the braveheart and made an interview with him.
This is the place where the accident took place: