The journalist wrote that she was near the accident site that evening but only found out later what had happened. Her heart especially tightened when she saw a photo capturing a human chain formed by people trying to help the 17-year-old.
“Yesterday I was near the Palanga bridge when rescue vehicles with flashing lights rushed by one after another. At that time, I still didn’t know what had happened. Only later did I read about the terrible accident – a 17-year-old young man from Poland drowned in the sea.
While reading information about the incident, I saw a photo of yesterday’s drama taken by a random passerby, Domantas, which he shared with LRT. In it, people holding hands wade deeper and deeper into the sea. They hurried to help and at least try to save the drowning young man.
This photo gives me absolute chills. It’s not only about the tragedy but also about the very essence of humanity. About helping others.
It doesn’t matter who he is. It doesn’t matter that we don’t know him and perhaps have never met him in our lives. It doesn’t matter where he is from, how old he is, or what his story is. When a person needs help, there are people who go to help. Even when it means wading into a restless sea.
This photo is a very strong reminder to me that in those moments when it may seem that no one cares, that no one sees us, that we are unnecessary, we are actually mistaken. We often don’t even know how many people in the world, in moments of misfortune, do not hesitate to extend a hand to us. Sometimes we never get to meet those people. As, unfortunately, happened this time. But they exist.
A very young person died. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. This is another painful reminder of how dangerous the sea can be.
This photo will remain a very strong testimony to how much humanity can arise in moments of disaster. Yesterday at the Palanga bridge, many people witnessed this act of humanity with their own eyes,” wrote D. Žeimytė-Bilienė.
Photo:
Žmonės.lt reminds that on Saturday a huge tragedy occurred near the Palanga bridge – a 17-year-old young man from Poland drowned in the Baltic Sea.
Understand instantly
Rescuer Kajus Pirožnikas spoke about the 17-year-old who drowned in Palanga
After the tragedy in Palanga – more details revealed: how the 17-year-old drowned near the bridge
The General Emergency Center received a report about a person drowning near the Palanga bridge at 20:11. Initially, it was reported that a man and three children were drowning, later clarified that they were minors and their father. Palanga rescuers received the information at 20:13.
Rescuers rushing to the scene transported one young man from the bridge pillars to the shore by jet ski; the father and daughter reached the rocks near the bridge on their own. Information obtained from the rescued young man indicated that his brother immediately submerged underwater and was not visible on the water’s surface. Palanga rescuers searched the entire accident area but did not find the young man. Soon, firefighters, medical and police forces joined the search, and divers were involved in the water search.
Rescuers said that immediately after the accident, beachgoers themselves held hands and formed a human chain, trying to wade into the water and find the missing young man.
The young man’s body was found at 21:22, 57 meters from the drowning site, about 3 meters deep, in a hole formed near the rocks. Arriving medics confirmed his death.
