‘It could have been my child’: Bangladeshi truck driver, one of two foreign workers awarded for saving boy from windowsill

When there was no response, the 34-year-old went to an adjacent stairwell from where he tried to climb onto the edge to reach the boy. However, he was unable to do so, partly because his freedom of movement was restricted by the jeans he was wearing.

Mr Jahir then returned to the ground floor, where he continued to figure out how to save the boy. At that moment, Mr. Sa Thu Ya Aung appeared on the scene.

The 26-year-old, who works as a painter, was on his way from his Woodlands dormitory to church when he noticed the commotion.

“I was waiting for my friends at Sembawang MRT when I saw a lot of people around, so I went over to see what was going on,” Mr Sa Thu Ya Aung said through a translator. He worked in Singapore for a year and three months.

Mr Jahir sought his help to get to the edge of the third floor to rescue the boy, who they said stood motionless and frozen in fear.

Despite the language barrier between them, the duo worked together and climbed over the parapet on the second floor before Mr Jahir hoisted Mr Sa Thu Ya Aung to the next level as Mr Sa Thu Ya Aung was smaller in size and could fit on the floor to fit. the narrow ridge.

Mr Jahir remained on the ledge below to support Mr Sa Thu Ya Aung. “If he fell, I could catch him,” he explained.

‘HIS HANDS WERE COLD’

Walking along the narrow edge, Mr. Sa Thu Ya Aung soon took the boy in his arms, carried him back to the window and lifted him back inside.

A 25-year-old woman is currently assisting police in investigating a case of negligence over the incident.

“The boy was very scared and his hands were cold,” Mr Sa Thu Ya Aung recalled, adding that he did not cry the entire time or utter a single word.

The duo were also concerned that the boy might move and accidentally fall off the edge, but were helped by people below who held a blanket to catch him if he fell.

Mr Sa Thu Ya Aung said he had no hesitation or thoughts in his mind when he saw the boy stuck up there as he has a six-year-old niece and a four-year-old nephew, and wouldn’t want anything. the worst thing that would happen to them if they were in a similar situation.

Both of Friday’s award winners were happy with the award and grateful for the support they received from the public.

Lt. Col. Shafi Rafie, head of the community engagement department of SCDF’s 3rd Division, said the duo were initially unaware of the public’s recognition of their actions until his team contacted them.

“I am deeply encouraged by the courage of Mr Thu Ya and Mr Jahir, whose courageous actions and quick response saved a precious life,” said Colonel Lim Beng Hui, the division commander.

“I hope their public-spirited actions will inspire more people to come forward and provide help to others in need.”

Mr Jahir also urged households with young children to exercise more caution.

“If (there) is a baby inside, (you) should always close the window. This time someone had come by. Next time no one may show up, and the child may fall and die,” he said.