In the US, 26-year-old Coast Guard recruit Scott Raskan became a hero after saving 165 children during a devastating flood in Texas. For him, this was the first real mission – not in a training class, but in the middle of a natural disaster, where every minute could cost a life, informs CNN.
Previously, Raskan worked as an accountant, but decided to radically change his direction and six months ago completed training to become a lifeguard. His team received an emergency call during the Independence Day celebration when the Guadalupe River burst its banks and rose from three to nearly thirty feet, flooding several camps, including the girls’ Christian Christian camp, Mystic. The roads to the camp were completely cut off: bridges and roads were flooded, and because of the strong current, boats could not get there.
Air evacuation was the only option. According to Raskan, instead of the planned one hour flight to the camp was delayed by six hours due to severe weather conditions. The team had to retry several times to approach, and only with the support of the Air National Guard were they able to reach the site.
Arriving at the camp, Raskan saw about 200 frightened and wet children. To increase the number of evacuees, he remained in the camp and coordinated the rescue operation. He supported the kids who didn’t know what happened to their friends and counselors and helped them stay calm. Some of the girls were barefoot, with cut feet, because they did not have time to put on their shoes when the water began to rush in.
For three hours, Raskan was the only rescuer in the camp without communication. However, instead of panicking, he took action: he took the children in groups of 10-15 to the helicopter, helping the youngest to overcome the slippery rocks. In total, he managed to save about 165 children. However, the tragedy could not be avoided: at least 27 girls and one counselor died, 10 more children and a worker remain missing. Among the dead was the director of the camp, Dick Eastman, who helped the children to the last.
The US Department of Homeland Security named Scott Ruskan an “American Hero” for his courage and dedication.
But the rescuer himself emphasizes that not only he was a hero, but also everyone who participated in the rescue operation — and even the children:
“They inspired me to be a better lifeguard.”
Фото: komonews.com
