On Saturday, two adolescents aged 13 and 14 were fishing by the towpath near rue de la Victoire, in Roux. While waiting for a catch, the younger of the two attempted to retrieve a small object he had dropped but ended up sliding dangerously close to the Sambre canal. His friend quickly tried to help but slipped and fell into the water. Despite calling for help, several adults walking by were indifferent to the teens’ plight and left them stranded. Fortunately, a third young man arrived and managed to rescue the victim with a stick before the parents and an ambulance arrived at the scene. Although suffering from hypothermia, the teenager was not hospitalized. The selfish walkers, however, had already left and were not found. It is important to note that failing to assist a person in danger could lead to prosecution.
Saturday, at the end of the day, two teenagers aged 13 and 14 take advantage of the opening of fishing along the towpath, near rue de la Victoire, in Roux. They have cast their line and are waiting when, suddenly, the youngest tries to retrieve a small object that has slipped from his hands. But the movement makes it slide without however making it fall into the channeled Sambre. His sidekick immediately comes to his friend’s aid. He pulls it but slips in turn and falls into the water. However, he manages to cling to the stones of the towpath. Now it’s time to call for help. “Help me help me,” shouts the teenager in the direction of several adults walking on the towpath. Against all expectations, the latter are totally uninterested in the fate of the unfortunate fisherman. Do they even realize that they could be prosecuted for failing to assist a person in danger. They don’t have time, they say, and continue on their way as if nothing had happened, in the face of the victims dumbfounded by this abandonment while danger awaits them.
Finally, a third young man came running and managed to extricate the victim with a stick.
Alerted, his parents then land on the spot, as well as an ambulance. Suffering from hypothermia, the teenager is taken care of inside the ambulance, the time to be warmed up. He was not hospitalized.
At this time, selfish adult walkers are already far away. They will not be found.
In this shocking incident, we see the stark reality of our society’s lack of empathy and care for others. Despite the clear danger that the young fisherman was in, several adults walking by chose to ignore his cries for help and continue on with their day. It is a reminder that in times of crisis, we must not turn a blind eye to those in need. Rather, we should strive to be the third young man who rushed to the victim’s aid, and make a positive impact in someone else’s life. Let us all remember the importance of compassion and community, and work towards making our world a better place for everyone.