The commune vice chairman recounted the moment the husband died while saving his wife and child from being swept away by the flood.

Today, the small house of Mr. Tran Xuan L.'s family (born in 1973, Head of the Department of Internal Affairs of Ba Don town, Quang Binh ) had many people coming to visit and express their condolences after the sudden passing of Mr. L. In the middle of the hot noon sun, the cries of Mr. L.'s wife and children were heartbreaking.

The family is holding a funeral for Mr. Tran Xuan L., Head of the Department of Internal Affairs of Ba Don town. (Photo: Contributor)

The tragic incident that happened yesterday afternoon made Mrs. H. (Mr. L.’s wife) cry her eyes out. Mrs. H. was haunted by the moment when she and her son had just escaped the river god’s mouth, and a few minutes later, her husband passed away.

According to Mrs. H., yesterday afternoon, after coming home from work, the weather was hot so the whole family went to Gianh River branch about 500m from home to cool off.

While bathing, Mr. L. saw his wife and two children being swept away by the water, so he swam to save his wife and the young child, bringing them to shore first. Then, he continued swimming to save the remaining child. At this time, due to exhaustion, Mr. L. gradually drowned and was swept away by the water.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vu fainted after pulling Mr. L. and his son to shore. Photo: Contributor

Seeing her husband and daughter struggling in the river, Mrs. H. tried her best to call for help from people around.

Immediately, Mr. Phan Thanh Hai (born in 1978, Vice Chairman of My Trach Commune People's Committee) and Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vu (working at Quang Trach Power Operation Management Team, Quang Binh Power Company) were on the dike and jumped into the water to rescue Mr. L. and his son.

Recalling that moment, Mr. Hai said: “I was walking with my child on the dike when I heard a cry for help. Without thinking, I jumped into the river, swam out with Mr. Vu, and used a basket boat to rescue Mr. L’s daughter first. At that time, on the shore, Mr. Van (living in the same residential group) helped pull the boat to shore, so the girl was saved.

After that, Mr. Vu and I swam out to pull Mr. L. in. We struggled in the water for more than 10 minutes, and by the time we brought him to shore, I was exhausted.

I just remember that at that time I couldn’t stand anymore, I just lay down on the dike and then the ambulance came and took me to Bac Quang Binh General Hospital for emergency treatment. This morning, although I was still tired, the emergency room was crowded with patients and quite noisy, so I asked to go home to rest.”

After emergency treatment, Mr. Phan Thanh Hai is currently being monitored at home. (Photo: Contributor)

Mr. Hai said that his house and Mr. Loi's family live in the same residential group. The river section where Mr. Loi's family had the accident is usually crowded with people swimming, but he doesn't understand why there were no people yesterday.

“When I was at the hospital, I was shocked to hear that Mr. Loi had passed away. After pulling him to shore, I thought he was saved, but I didn’t expect…”, Mr. Hai choked up.

Recalling the incident, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vu shared: "At that time, the tide was high, the water was flowing fast, Mr. Hai and I, who lived in the same neighborhood, struggled in the water, swimming and pushing to bring Mr. L. to shore.

When we reached the shore, an ambulance came to take everyone to the hospital. I took my motorbike to go home but suddenly fainted in the middle of the road so I was taken to the emergency room. When I woke up, I found out that Mr. L. did not make it.

Leaders of the Central Power Corporation and Quang Binh Power Corporation visited and encouraged Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vu. (Photo: Contributor)

According to an official of the Ba Don Town Internal Affairs Department, Mr. L. was appointed head of this department in January 2020. Mr. L.'s family has 3 daughters, his wife is an elementary school teacher. "Mr. L.'s biological mother passed away about half a year ago, now he has also left his wife and children, what a pity", Mr. L.'s colleague shared.

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