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“I believe this is something anyone in my place would have done,” Sergi explained. “If it had been my mother instead of that woman, someone else would have helped. It was just my wife and me there. When we heard a noise like a splash, we thought it was a diver. But after a few seconds, we realized the person was struggling, and we decided to intervene.”
Sergi and his wife were strolling along the Vlora coastline, unaware their leisurely walk would turn into a life-saving moment. Despite the language barrier, Sergi attempted to check on the woman after rescuing her. “Unfortunately, my Albanian isn’t very good, and her English wasn’t either, so we couldn’t communicate much. I asked if she was okay, but we couldn’t have a deeper conversation,” he said.
In an interview with Flori Gjini, the host of People, Sergi detailed how he noticed the woman was in distress. “Luckily, I’m a strong swimmer. From a distance, her movements looked strange. She tried to stand up but was taking in water. The whole situation lasted 20-30 seconds, but it was clear she wasn’t swimming.”
Once Sergi brought the woman to shore, others nearby joined to assist. He immediately contacted his wife to alert emergency services. Police and an ambulance arrived shortly after. “When I pulled her out of the water, she was conscious, though she had swallowed some seawater. Thankfully, it wasn’t enough to endanger her life,” Sergi noted.
The woman, who spoke only in Albanian, was transported by ambulance for further medical attention. Sergi described how locals gathered to thank him and his wife for their brave act. “Later, many people came to thank us and congratulated us for what we did.”
According to initial reports, the incident may have been a suicide attempt. While the woman’s exact motives remain unclear, Sergi’s quick actions ensured her safety and prevented a potential tragedy.
Sergi concluded by sharing his surprise at the gratitude he received. “We were overwhelmed by the kind messages from friends in Albania. They appreciated our actions as something positive and beautiful.”
This selfless act highlights the importance of quick thinking and courage, reminding us all of the profound impact one person can have on another’s life.