A 60-year-old captain has leaped 40ft into the sea to save a drowning passenger who had fallen overboard.
U Myint Aye was steering the ship into Dala port on the Yangon River in Burma when 34-year-old Khin Chan Mya fell into the water.
As soon as he heard the panic, U Myint Aye steered the ship away from the port to avoid crushing the drowning woman. Still fully clothed, he decided to jump from the ship and into the water to rescue Khin Chan Mya.
The woman was described as being ‘shocked but conscious.’ She was then rushed to hospital after the rescue.
Another passenger said that Khin Chan Mya had taken a wrong step. “I saw that she was falling onto the water when the boat reached the pier.”
After saving a passenger’s life, the hero captain was photographed drinking beer still wearing the same clothes. The three also received recognition plaques from the town officials in honor of their bravery.
“At that time I did not think about any risks to my own life,” U Myint Aye shared. “I jumped just because I wanted the woman to be safe. I am old now, it is fine if I die, the young woman should be alive.”
U Myint Aye, who has worked on ferries for over four decades, said he had already lost count of the number of people he has rescued.
“I am very proud of myself that I have saved so many lives during my working life,” he expressed.
One internet user commented: “A man very worthy of the post of Captain. A stark contrast to the cowardly captain of the Costa Concordia, after he ran it aground.”
Another wrote: “Brilliant job by the Captain – the woman was so lucky she was spotted – and – that she wasn’t crushed between the ship and the pier. Moving a ship quickly in a short distance is almost impossible.”
A third added: “Well done Captain….top job!”
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Replaced!