UAE inspector rescues woman, daughter from drowning

Ras Al Khaimah - The woman, in her forties, and her five-year-old girl, were fortunately heard by a staff inspector.

An Arab woman and her daughter were lucky enough to be timely heard and rescued from drowning at the Institute beach of the Ras Al Khaimah city late on Sunday. 
The woman, in her forties, and her five-year-old girl, were fortunately heard by a staff inspector with the 'Raqib' or 'Monitor' environment patrol of the department of public works and services here. 
"I didn't think twice and ran to the rough sea in my full uniform to rescue the woman and her daughter," Ismael Al Balochi, the brave inspector, told Khaleej Times.
It was really hard to do so because of the darkness as well as the strong and high waves, he added. "What I did is not that heroic; it is just a normal humanitarian response which anyone else in my place would have done."
Al Balochi was on duty patrolling the beach to keep it clean and curb any anti-environment violations when he heard a loud shout and a big gathering of people close to the beach.
"It was around 7pm when I heard a scream and saw a crowd of people at the beach," he said. "I immediately rode my quadbike towards the gathering where I found a woman and her daughter fighting for their life in the sea and shouting for help."
The brave inspector rushed to the beach in his full uniform, challenged the rough waves, and swam for about 50 meters until he reached the duo. "I managed to reach the woman and her daughter in few minutes. They were completely in a shock and so exhausted," he explained.
"I got tight hold of their hands, comforted them, and told them that they are fine, and I will take them safely to the beach."
Al Balochi said he only managed to first take the little girl to the beach and handed her over to her terrified father who was helpless because he did not know how to swim to rescue them.
"I went back to woman, but could not identify her location because of the dark sea and high waves until I heard her scream."
The courageous inspector swam to the panicked and completely exhausted woman, and took her to the beach safely. "It was so difficult this time because my then wet and heavier clothes, and the rough sea, but we luckily managed to make it and reached the beach safely."  
The coast guard rescue team was there when they reached the beach, and helped the woman and her daughter, he pointed out. "Actually, I have received intensive training in rescue missions, and that helped me much in saving the life of the duo."
The story of the brave inspector went viral on social media, and Emirati nationals and residents tried to reward and appreciate him for his heroic response. "He is a brave man, and deserve to be honoured," said Abdullah Al Shemeili, Emirati.
So far, so many people offered him cash rewards that hit Dh11,000, and an air ticket back home. "This is only a little appreciation for what he did," said. "Munzir A, Emirati.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah