12-year-old boy awarded bravery commendation for guiding ambulance over flooded bridge

Bengaluru: A 12-year-old boy was awarded bravery commendation on India’s 73rd Independence Day after he guided an ambulance across a bridge that had been completely flooded by incessant rain, making it impossible for the driver to distinguish between the road and the stream.

Venkatesh, a Class Six student from a local government school was awarded a certificate and commendation for his bravery.

The incident occurred near the Hirerayanakumpi village in Karnataka’s Raichur district, Venkatesh was reportedly playing on the banks of the stream, when the ambulance carrying six sick children and the body of a dead woman approached him for help and Venkatesh immediately agreed to help.

In a video of the incident, filmed on a bystander’s mobile phone, he can be seen determinedly wading through waist-deep water, even as he stumbles once or twice. Towards the end, shouts of encouragement can be heard as men gathered on the opposite bank to cheer Venkatesh.