'Knight' Ke Ninh and two great wishes

(Baonghean.vn) – More than 8 years since the ferry sinking in Ke Ninh, “knight” Luong Van Thang – the man who saved 7 students from drowning – is extremely happy because his 2 big dreams have come true.

In the Ke Ninh area (now 4 villages: Ke Ninh, Dinh Tien, Pa Co and Pa Co) in Chau Hanh commune, Quy Chau district, when mentioning "knight" Luong Van Thang (born 1995), everyone admires and praises him and competes to tell about his "achievement", even though the incident happened more than 8 years ago.

We were lucky to come here at the time when Luong Van Thang - the "little knight" that year was on a few days off from school to visit home. Not wasting the opportunity, the conversation with Thang took place right on the banks of Hieu River, where nearly 10 years ago, exactly 8 years and 2 months ago, a boat capsized, putting 15 students at risk of drowning.

"Knight" Ke Ninh Luong Van Thang is currently a senior student at the People's Security College. Photo: Luong Nga

“That day was September 21, 2009. Early in the morning, I rode my bike to the ferry to go to school on the other side of the river. When we arrived, the ferry was just full, there was no more room, so some of my friends and I stopped to wait for the next one. The ferry had just left the shore for about 10 meters when it suddenly rocked violently, water rushed in from the outside and quickly sank completely. The voices of my friends calling for help echoed throughout the river…” – Luong Van Thang recounted.

The incident happened so quickly, barely able to regain his composure, without taking off his clothes, Thang rushed out to the fast-flowing river to save his friends in distress. At that time, some other friends rushed out, the river water was high and flowing strongly during the flood season, making it difficult to approach, and the swimmers quickly became exhausted. But regardless of the danger to their lives, Thang and his friends were determined to save their friends who were being swept away by the water.

Luong Van Thang (white shirt) during martial arts practice. Photo: Luong Nga

After struggling with the floodwaters for a while, 15 students on the sunken ferry were saved by Luong Van Thang and his friends. Thang alone saved 7 friends from drowning. “In fact, when I saved the last 2 friends, I was exhausted, but hearing their miserable cries, I could not bear to give up. When I swam to them, my friends almost drowned many times. When I brought them to shore, I also lay down and fainted for a while. Thinking back, I feel very reckless,” Thang recalled.

When we asked, “If a similar incident happened today, would Thang act the same way he did 8 years ago?” He replied, “Of course I would. But I would be calmer and more careful, coordinate with other friends and call out to adults to make my actions more effective and less dangerous.”

Ke Ninh suspension bridge, Chau Hanh commune (Quy Chau) has been completed and put into use. Photo: Cong Khang

After that time, Luong Van Thang was praised by all levels and sectors from district, province to central level for his brave action of saving people from drowning. In particular, Thang was honored to represent Nghe An youth to attend the National Patriotic Emulation Congress (2010) and to be interviewed on television. The people of Ke Ninh and neighboring villages called Thang "knight" with all their affection.

Thang still remembers very clearly, that day when asked about his greatest wish, he answered that he hoped Ke Ninh would have a bridge across the Hieu River to ease the hardships of the villagers, and to make going to school less dangerous for students. And he also hoped to join the armed forces, to contribute his small part to protecting his homeland and country.

Life in all aspects of Ke Ninh area, Chau Hanh commune (Quy Chau) - the hometown of Luong Van Thang has changed a lot. Photo: Cong Khang

Up to now, after more than 8 years, Luong Van Thang's 2 big wishes have come true. Ke Ninh suspension bridge has been completed and put into use for about 1 year, travel is now very convenient. And after all his efforts, the "knight" of Ke Ninh has passed the entrance exam to the People's Security College, now he is a senior student, which means that Thang will soon graduate and carry out the task of maintaining security, order and social safety.

Luong Van Thang confided: “What makes me happiest is that my village now has a suspension bridge across the river, life in all aspects is gradually changing and improving, social evils are being pushed back. Ke Ninh is now different from before...”.

Cong Khang - Luong Nga