A man from Zimbabwe risked his life to rescue people inside a burning bus when it collided with a fuel tanker on Christmas eve.
Burning Bus
According to the report, the accident happened along Harare-Mutare Highway in Zimbabwe on December 24. A fuel tanker apparently crashed into a bus carrying 60 passengers inside. The forceful collision caught the bus on fire. Then Sirizani Butau, a truck driver, jumped into the scene. He was one of the first people who responded to the incident. He did not hesitate to enter the burning bus to rescue eight people trapped inside it.
Photo Courtesy | Faithpot
Thankfully, Sirizani managed to save them. Although he suffered third-degree burns on different parts of his body. But authorities immediately took him to Kadoma hospital, where doctors and nurses cared for him.
Hailed A Hero
In a picture that went viral on social media, Sirizani can be seen with burns on his legs. Perhaps due to the adrenaline rush, he wore nothing on his feet anymore in the picture. The bus can be seen engulfed in fire and black smoke just a few meters from where he stood.
As a result, it moved viewers to initiate a fundraiser for Sirizani’s medical bills. They posted his Ecocash mobile number, and donations began to pour in, to the point that it reached its limit.
What’s more, a philanthropist with a username @thegiverzim on Twitter gave $250,000 to the modern-day hero, according to Zimbabwe News.
In an interview with NewsDay, Sirizani’s brother, Trevor, shared an update about his brother. He said, “At the moment, he is unable to talk because he is being attended to by doctors. What we can say is he is overwhelmed by the kindness and love from across Zimbabwe. He never sought to be a hero, and he does not feel like one.”
Twitter | President of Zimbabwe
Furthermore, the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, acknowledged Sirizani’s heroic act. He wrote, “Let me take this opportunity to appreciate Sirizani Butau who saved people from the Mutare accident. As [the] government will honor him for his selfless sacrifice.”
Praise God for kindhearted people like Sirizani who are willing to lay down their lives for others. It reminds us of what Jesus did for all of us to be saved!
Reference: Faithpot