In the Saratov region, an ambulance driver named Dmitry Panarin acted with remarkable courage when he pulled an elderly man from the river after the flood swept him downstream. This account was confirmed by the region’s Minister of Health, Oleg Kostin, in an official statement released through the region’s telegraph channel. The minister emphasized that the emergency medical service had received a report describing how a man was carried away by the flood along the Chernava River, and Panarin did not hesitate to plunge into the frigid water to rescue the victim.
The elderly man was then transported to the intensive care unit of Ivanteevskaya regional hospital, where medical teams provided essential stabilization and care. The hospital staff worked to address the patient’s condition, and the swift intervention by the ambulance crew played a critical role in the successful initial treatment.
Kostin praised Panarin’s actions, noting that the ambulance driver’s bravery warranted special recognition and that the heroism would be acknowledged by Ivanteevskaya authorities. The statement illustrated how critical quick response from emergency services can be when floods disrupt everyday life and threaten vulnerable residents.
In a separate regional incident previously reported, a police officer in the Vologda region helped a schoolboy who was found freezing in a snowdrift. A local resident alerted authorities after hearing cries for help near a quarry. A district sergeant followed footprints along the hillside to locate the young person lying in the snow, where the officer provided immediate assistance and ensured the boy received care. This sequence underscored the ongoing vigilance and readiness of public safety personnel to respond to crises in challenging weather conditions. [Citation: Regional Health Ministry and Public Safety Office]