Krishnamoorthy the hero who saved dozens

KLANG: Wireman S. Krishnamoorthy, 19, was showered with accolades for his heroism by 18 survivors of the Seagull Express 2 ferry fire during a press conference yesterday.

The teenager who saved dozens, including six children, also received RM800 from businessman M. Pandian, and was garlanded by survivors, politicians and Group of Concerned Citizens co-ordinator, Charles Santiago. Santiago said the youth’s heroism was a shining example to all Malaysians.

A survivor, Ng Soon Tiong, 41, said he saw Krishnamoorthy selflessly handing out lifejackets to other passengers and helping children off the burning ferry.

He also said Krishnamoorthy repeatedly dived into the water to pull others to safety. Ng added that Krishnamoorthy saved the lives of his two sons, aged 7 and 9, as well as the lives of several other relatives.

“Many of us are alive today because of him. We are all greatly indebted to him,” he added. Krishnamoorthy said his main concern was for the children. “I tried my best to save as many as I could, but I found myself struggling to stay afloat because my jeans had become saturated with water,” he said. Despite this, however, he still managed to help many board other vessels which arrived during the rescue.

He said that besides not having enough life jackets, the ferry crew failed to deploy the life rafts hung on the upper decks of the vessel. The crew abandoned the passengers, he added.

source: http://www.nst.com.my/