Cop’s daring rescue hailed

ras al khaimah — A gritty, quickacting cop jumped into a flooded valley in Ras Al Khaimah and managed to rescue three families.

The policeman’s heroics have received acclaim from the highest quarter, with His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, acknowledging the policeman’s “act of heroism”.

After a bout of heavy rains and thunderstorms, three vehicles carrying eight people, including women and children, got caught in the flash floods in Wadi Bih on Sunday.

“A team of four policemen, in- cluding me, rushed to the scene in a 4WD equipped with all necessary rescue facilities,” Salem Hussain Al Huti, 25, told Khaleej Times.

“Two of the three vehicles carried Emirati families, while the third had an Asian one.

“I calmed the panicked families, jumped into the water and tied the cars to the police SUV. We then towed them to safety. It was not an easy job due to the strong current.”

Al Huti said he was only performing his national duty. “Rescuing people is a part and parcel of my work.”

Paying tribute to the policeman, Sheikh Saud said on social media: “This week, we witnessed an act of heroism from our son Salem Hussain Al Huti, of Ras Al Khaimah Police, who showed great courage when he risked his life to save eight people trapped in their vehicles in Wadi Bih.

“He did not hesitate to venture into fast-running water to help them and, with the assistance of his colleagues, deliver them to safety.”