# The Rescuer

- Link: https://dismasfellowshipnetwork.com/reflections/the-rescuer/
- Published: 2021-05-07T11:24:24-04:00
- Author: Paul Tuck

**[[THE RESCUER** – Source Unknown

In 1976, Shavarsh Karapetyan, an Armenian Olympic swimmer, had just completed a 
12-mile run with his brother when they saw a trolley bus crash into a dam reservoir.
The trolley bus sank 80 feet offshore at a depth of 33 feet. Shavarsh immediately
dove in and swam to the bus and despite zero visibility, managed to kick in the 
back window, injuring himself in the process. He proceeded to save twenty people
trapped in the bus, one at a time, for hours.

The combined effect of the cold water and his inquiries from breaking the glass 
window led to his hospitalization for 45 days after the incident, during which time
he developed pneumonia, sepsis, and lung damage which ended his athletic career.

For years, his story wasn’t known, until an article about the event identified him
by name in 1982. In 1985, he happened to pass by a burning building and rushed inside,
again saving people trapped inside one at a time until he collapsed. He was again
hospitalized with severe burns and lung damage.

He’s still kicking it at 67 (as of 2021).

**REFELECTION QUESTION:**  Can you think of someone in your life that has inspired
you because of his/her sacrifices or demonstrations of compassion?