An 11-year-old boy in Son La province is being hailed as a hero after his quick thinking saved his 5-year-old cousin from drowning in a deep lake. Khac Huy, from Thuan Chau commune, used his scooter as a makeshift rescue device when his cousin accidentally fell into Noong Hoi lake on 25/7.

The dramatic rescue, which took place around 6 PM, saw Huy act swiftly when his cousin slipped into the 1,5-meter deep water. Hearing cries for help, Huy dropped his bicycle and rushed to the scene. Noticing the slippery embankment, he instructed another cousin to call for adult assistance while he extended his scooter into the water as a grip. He guided his struggling cousin to hold on tightly, then pulled the young boy safely to the shore.

A security camera recorded the two-minute incident, showing the swift response of a nearby restaurant owner, Van Trung. Trung quickly pulled the victim from the water and administered first aid.

Trung highlighted the dangers of Noong Hoi lake, a public fishing spot that lacks safety barriers. He recounted saving another boy from drowning at the same lake three months prior while the boy was trying to catch fish. Trung emphasized the importance of parental supervision near water bodies and the need for children to learn survival swimming skills early on.

Khac Huy's heroic actions quickly garnered widespread praise, both from local authorities and the public. Minh Thao, the 5-year-old boy's father, expressed his gratitude to all who assisted. The Thuan Chau Commune People's Committee lauded the 11-year-old's quick and correct application of rescue methods, which ensured the victim's safety. On 27/7, Trung shared the security camera footage of Huy's rescue online, and it rapidly went viral, with numerous users commending the boy's intelligence and quick reflexes. One user, Pham Ngan, commented, "The boy in the black shirt is so skilled, intelligent, and agile. His life skills are excellent".

Quynh Nguyen