Overturned kayak in river
Photo: Rescue services
Israeli firemen drilling in France rescue local girl
Firemen exercising water rescue strategies spot kayak overturning in raging current, jump in to save drowning girl
A team of Israeli firemen performing rescue drills in France saved the life of a local girl found drowning in a river Wednesday. The firemen rushed to pull her out when the kayak in which she was paddling turned over in the water.
The men are in France conducting drills focusing on rescue missions in water and high places. They arrived at the Mieux River to practice in its strong current; however the practice soon became a reality.
Local girl caught in current. (Photo: Rescue services)
"We were on the river bank preparing for water rescue. The current was strong, and families were paddling it in kayaks, one of which held a 10-year old girl," Oren Shishatzki, of the Petah Tikva fire station said.
Suddenly the firemen noticed that the girl had turned over, and that her head was in the water below the kayak. The strong current pushed her towards the rocks near the bank.
The Israeli firemen did not lose their cool, however, and rushed to her aid. "Two immediately jumped in, and swam to the overturned kayak," Shishatzki said. "The kayak couldn't be righted, so they dove under the water, released the girl, and pulled her out onto the bank."
The girl emerged unscathed, and thanked the firemen for saving her life. "She was surprised and wouldn't stop thanking us," Shishatzki recalled.
Due to the strong current, the girl's family could not bring their own kayak to a halt, but arrived later to pick up their grateful daughter.
