Homeless man, Adan Abobaker plunges into icy Thames to save woman from drowning

[sheherazade]

Homeless man plunges into icy Thames to save woman from drowning... and his clothes get stolen

 

 

A homeless man risked his life to stop a young woman drowning in the bitterly cold Thames at night — then had his clothes and tea flask stolen from the river bank where he had left them.

 

Adan Abobaker, 37, told today of the dramatic rescue but shrugged off praise for his heroism, saying: “I only did what needed to be done.”

 

The chef heard a passer-by screaming for help as he walked near Blackfriars Bridge on Tuesday night. “There was a woman about 20 feet away in the middle of the river,” he said. “I grabbed a life ring but it wouldn't reach so I took off my jacket and jumper, dived in and swam as fast as I could.

 

“The current was really strong and I kept having to dive under. I swallowed a lot of water but I didn't really feel the cold because of the adrenaline. It took about two minutes to swim to her.”

 

The woman, who had apparently thrown herself in, was distressed when he reached her after braving crowded boat lanes. He said: “I held her to my chest with one hand and used the other to swim back. It was a struggle.”

 

The pair were plucked out by the crew of safety vessel Watchdog operated by Capital Pleasure Boats overseeing maintenance work on the bridge. Boatmen Kevin Murphy and Lee Smith, both first-aiders, kept them warm with silver blankets before they were transferred to a police boat and taken to Waterloo Pier lifeboat station.

 

They were both treated at St Thomas' Hospital where Mr Abobaker, who was on the verge of hypothermia, had to be warmed for more than two hours with special piped air equipment. The unnamed woman — who is white, English and in her twenties, is believed to be back with her parents after two days of treatment for minor injuries.

 

A couple walking on the riverbank after the rescue found some of Mr Abobaker's clothes — but thieves had stolen a jumper he was given as a present by his brother, his woolly hat, gloves and flask of tea. The water had also ruined his phone.

 

Martin Garside of the Port of London Authority said: “Mr Abobaker deserves considerable praise for his selfless courage. The Thames is particularly unforgiving and harsh at this time of year and in darkness.” He also paid tribute to the “skill and professionalism” of the Watchdog crew.

 

Mr Abobaker, originally from Kingston, is staying at St Mungo's hostel in Southwark after falling on hard times. Hostel manager Nick Wing said: “People can underestimate someone who is homeless. Adan reacted amazingly bravely and deserves great credit.”

 

Witness Lucy Cuthew, 29, a books editor, said today: “I saw a sad-looking young woman jump into the Thames. This man appeared very quickly, took off his coat and jumper and dived straight in to save her. He was so brave.”

 

But Mr Abobaker said: “I just did what needed to be done because someone needed my help. There was no one else there. All I cared about was getting to help and I knew I'd be safe because I've been swimming since I was a nipper.

 

“I just hope she's got a family. Life is worth living, it's not worth giving up.

 

source

[Nin-Yaaban]

That man is a Hero.

[Chimera]

Poor brother, just from looking at his face I can see he is a good man who simply made the wrong business decisions. As a chef he probably owned his own restaurant, but it went bankrupt and all of his belongings such as his house, car, and credit were taken away, and his wife eventually filed for a divorce. Afterwards he was forced to live in a hostel, but out of pride refrained from telling his brother and family.

 

Thats what I got from looking at his face. May Allah swt get him back on his feet Insha-allah!

[Daandurreey]

is he real homeless bum or is he another Somalis trying to find council house (government housing) saying he is homeless. in UK most somalis have in their record they were at some point homeless living in hostel.

 

nin rafaad oow wejiga uga egyahabo. Allah ajar haka siiyo.

[chubacka]

Is the man even Somali? Why does it say he is from Kingston?

[Alpha Blondy]

this fool is from the area i use to live in london. he could be found blowing his job seekers allowance on william hill and drinking stella artois at 11am.

 

i wonder how he found himself in central london. i mean the guy is a swalahi and doesnt even speak somali nor english for that matter. oh god, i only hope that the woman he supposedly rescued wasnt afraid. could you imagine a barbaric creature like that trying to rescue you. i would rather die and drown in the thames.

 

he doesnt deserve all this attention.

[NGONGE]

^^ I thought I recognised his face.

By the way, "drunks" never have Stella Artois at eleven in the morning. Special Brew is cheaper.

[Alpha Blondy]

you would know about that wouldn't you mr NGONGE.

[NGONGE]

^^ Being the man of the world that I am, you mean? But of course, my dear, but of course.

[Alpha Blondy]

oh god, your cheesy pretentious cliches are embarrassing. almost, akin to a grandpa trying skating game with his grandchildren. not, that, i am saying there is enough of a age gap between us to make you my grandpa but of course you could be. i mean who knows ! its possible.

[NGONGE]

^^ What's a "cheesy pretentious cliche", blondy?

[sheherazade]

Originally posted by Alpha Blondy:

this fool is from the area i use to live in london. he could be found blowing his job seekers allowance on william hill and drinking stella artois at 11am.

 

i wonder how he found himself in central london. i mean the guy is a swalahi and doesnt even speak somali nor english for that matter. oh god, i only hope that the woman he supposedly rescued wasnt afraid. could you imagine a barbaric creature like that trying to rescue you. i would rather die and drown in the thames.

 

he doesnt deserve all this attention.

Subxanallah. Bitterness much? Want some of that attention for yourself, miyaa? The attention is on his one act. He was on radio; did he speak in Swahili? :rolleyes:

[Ismalura]

Originally posted by Alpha Blondy:

this fool is from the area i use to live in london. he could be found blowing his job seekers allowance on william hill and drinking stella artois at 11am.

 

i wonder how he found himself in central london. i mean the guy is a swalahi and doesnt even speak somali nor english for that matter. oh god, i only hope that the woman he supposedly rescued wasnt afraid. could you imagine a barbaric creature like that trying to rescue you. i would rather die and drown in the thames.

 

he doesnt deserve all this attention.

He deserves the attention because he acted heroically and saved a life and that is something that mean and cowardly hearts are not capable of.

 

God bless him and ease his problem for being so kind.

 

[ November 22, 2010, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: sheherazade ]

[Kamaavi]

Hero, indeed.

[SayidSomal]

Homeless Somali man, Adan Abobaker plunges into icy Thames to save woman from drowning.

 

much better :cool:

 

p.s Only Alpha Blondy can steal attention away from him - by jumping from the same bridge into the Thames