A 50-year-old man from Kota Tinggi dives into monsoon drain to save woman being swept away by raging current
Choo Ngiam Choong seen battling the churning water as he swims towards the woman, who is clinging desperately to submerged car
KOTA TINGGI - A 50-year-old man has been hailed a hero after diving into a monsoon drain to save a woman who was clinging on to her car which skidded off the road and was being swept away by the drain's current.
Choo Ngiam Choong, a resident of Kota Tinggi, was driving along the Kota Tinggi-Mersing road on Sunday morning (7 January) when he witnessed the incident.
His quick thinking and decisive action were captured on video, which quickly went viral online.
The footage shows Choo battling the churning water as he swims towards the woman, who is clinging desperately to the back of the submerged car. With the help of bystanders who had also rushed to the scene, Choo managed to pull the woman out of the water and bring her to safety.
"I didn't think twice and immediately jumped in to save the woman, after seeing her being swept away by the strong current," Choo told New Straits Times.
"I am grateful and very happy to have saved the woman," Choo said afterwards, still shaken but relieved. "It all happened within a few seconds," he added, acknowledging the potential danger of his actions.
Netizens amazed by his actions
Meanwhile, internet users applauded Choo for his bravery.
“Tq (Thank you) uncle… hope everyone is safe,” posted Facebook user Meiran Ahmad.
“Really great respect for you bro. God bless you!” said another user Umadevi.
“Great job brother! You are a hero today!” chimed Nemo Jaybee.
A seasoned swimmer, Choo attributes his feat to his physical abilities and training. "I am good at swimming and have navigated hilly and challenging areas before. I'm thankful I have the stamina to assist the victim," he explained.
For Choo, the rescue effort was a selfless act driven by a moral obligation. "Money can still be earned, but if a life is lost, there's no replacement."
Do you have a story tip? Email: malaysia.newsroom@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
