Medical student drops out of school to collect corpses

(Baonghean.vn) - "There are bodies that have begun to decompose, not intact, we collect them ourselves, sometimes we cry" - Nguyen Tien Hung, a young man only 20 years old but has many years of experience in this "strange" job shared.

Tien Hung has a face and a more mature way of speaking than his peers. Perhaps because he entered the world early, and did a job that not everyone dares to do. Except for his relatives, few people know what Hung does for a living. And when Hung himself talks about his job, he doesn't know how to describe or share...

Previously, Hung studied Medical Technology, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Vinh Medical University. His decision to drop out of school to pursue a career in collecting corpses shocked his friends and relatives. "It was because I felt that studying was not suitable for my personality, so after many days of thinking, I quit completely," Hung calmly said.

Nguyen Tien Hung looks older than his 20 years.

Thinking about the fate that brought him to this "strange" job, Hung also does not know the reason why. Maybe that fate started when he was in high school, the 11th grader decided to be a vegetarian and chant Buddha. Or maybe it was a coincidence that when he was a student, Hung rented a room near the mortuary of Nghe An General Hospital (old).

One time, by chance, he met Mr. Tan - the captain of the Trung Viet Eternal team, which specializes in supporting the resolution and rescue of cases related to the dead (traffic accidents, murders, deaths of unknown causes, etc.), Hung decided to "try" doing this job that many people fear.

At first, because he had no experience, Hung only did the transportation work. Now, even though he is the youngest member of the team, Hung participates in all tasks such as retrieving corpses, collecting, embalming, etc.

Nguyen Tien Hung before going to work (Photo provided by the character)

This job, which is not common in society, left Hung with many unforgettable impressions. What remains after a "case" is sometimes the haunting, tormenting feeling of not being able to find the relatives of the deceased.

That was the time they recovered a body that had washed ashore in Xuan Hai (Ha Tinh) near Tet Binh Than 2016. It was freezing cold, Hung and his friends had to wear many layers of raincoats and protective gear to recover the body. The body had begun to decompose, the smell of death was strong, and the victim's identity could not be determined.

For the first time in many years of "working", Hung was forced to post pictures of his work and the deceased on social media in the hope of finding relatives.

There was another train accident, the victim's body was crushed by the train and was not intact. The team members had to collect each part of the body of the unfortunate person.

A drowning victim was rescued and embalmed by the Trung Viet Eternal team. The images were recorded and posted to help find the deceased's relatives.

The 20-year-old man could not remember how many times he had witnessed heartbreaking cases and then became the final "companion" to bring the dead to the eternal world. Some people knew about this strange job, some did not. Some understood and sympathized, some were suspicious and slanderous.

"I think if I do things with humanity in mind, I will feel at peace when facing the living or the dead, and will not have to fear anything," Hung shared. The light-hearted words of the 20-year-old young man will surely make many people think.

My Phan