28 February 2020 Sailor U Myint Aye, 60, had been steering his boat into Dala port on the Yangon River […]
28 February 2020
Sailor U Myint Aye, 60, had been steering his boat into Dala port on the Yangon River in Burma when passenger Khin Chan Mya, 34, fell into the water on February 18.
Hearing the panic below, U Myint Aye steered his ship away from the edge of the port to avoid crushing the struggling woman.
Still fully clothed, U Myint Aye — along with two other crew members — helped to drag the woman to safety.
U Myint Aye jumped from the ship fully-dressed after seeing the woman fall within the water
Incredible photos display the 60-year-old captain flying during the air to his passenger’s rescue
A crowd of locals helped to pull them up to dry land. The woman was shocked but still conscious, and rushed straight to the local hospital.
Shortly after saving her life, the hero captain was pictured holding a pint of beer — still wearing the same clothes — alongside his two drenched deck-hands.
U Myint Aye, (pictured centre), is flanked by two crew members as he toasts his successful rescue
The trio received recognition plaques in honour of their incredible rescue from the town officials, who praised their quick action.
U Myint Aye said: “At that time I did not think about any risks to my own life.”
“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.”
The two deck hands and ferry captain, U Myint Aye (pictured right), later received recognition for their bravery from town officials
The captain, who has worked on ferries for more than 40 years and plans to retire this year, added he had lost count of the number of people he has saved from drowning.
He said: “I am very proud of myself that I have saved so many lives during my working life.”