JOHOR BARU: Fisherman Wan Sapaat Sa’yon did not plan to go out to sea that day, but when a distress call came in, he did not hesitate to brave rough currents to save a drowning teenager.
Recalling the Feb 17 incident, the 39-year-old said he was tending to his nets at a jetty when his cousin called, urging him to head out immediately after reports that three children had been swept out to sea at Tanjong Buloh beach near Sedili Kecil, Kota Tinggi.
“I could not start my boat at first as the tank was empty, since I had not planned to go out that day.
“Without hesitating, I took diesel from a neighbouring boat – all I could think about was that people were drowning.”
Battling choppy waters, Wan Sapaat reached the location in about 20 minutes, where he spotted a 16-year-old boy struggling to stay afloat and shouting for help.
“It was difficult to navigate the currents, but I managed to throw him a rope and pulled him on board.
“He then vomited badly, and I thought that if I had been even a minute later, I might not have been able to save him,” he added.
The teenager was among three relatives caught in strong currents during a school holiday outing. He and another 11-year-old boy were rescued, while a third victim, also aged 11, died.
Wan Sapaat was among several persons who received a certificate of recognition from the Johor Fire and Rescue Department during its monthly assembly yesterday for their life-saving actions.
In another incident, nurse Nurain Adam, 33, and her husband, fireman Muhamad Sabri Ramli, 38, sprang into action after coming across a fiery crash along the Senai-Desaru Expressway on Oct 11 last year.
The couple were travelling from their home in Kampung Punggai in Pengerang to Pasir Gudang with their three children when they noticed thick smoke billowing from the scene.
“We quickly stopped by the roadside, and my husband rushed to assist first.
“Acting on instinct, I told our children, aged six, seven and eight, to remain in the car while I joined my husband in helping the victims,” said Nurain, who serves at Klinik Kesihatan Bayu Damai.
Her husband alerted emergency services after discovering five victims trapped in two burning vehicles – four in one car and one in another.
“Many people also stopped by the roadside to record the incident with their smartphones.
“He shouted for them to help carry the victims out, and thankfully several people came forward,” she said.
Nurain tended to the injured by the roadside while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Two victims died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries in hospital. Two others survived.
Nurain, who has 11 years of healthcare experience, said the couple later received calls from the victims’ family members expressing gratitude for their efforts.
“They said that although their loved ones had passed away, at least their bodies were saved from being completely burnt.”
Nurain also urged the public to prioritise contacting emergency services in such situations instead of recording videos or taking photos.
“Call 999 first. Quick response saves lives,” she added.
