Man (81) in danger of dying after falling into the Scheldt in Antwerp: bystanders save him with a buoy | Region

At the Zuiderterras, along the Cockerillkaai in Antwerp, an eighty-year-old fell into the Scheldt. He literally fell through the cracks on one of the docked cruise ships. Thanks to the quick action of bystanders, the man was successfully fished out of the water. The man was resuscitated and taken to hospital in life-threatening condition.

The emergency services were called to an incident along Plantinkaai around 3:30 p.m. A man had ended up in the water near the Zuiderterras, right next to one of the cruise ships currently moored there. He fell between the quay and the ship.

Bystanders, or possibly one of the skippers, did not hesitate and threw a buoy to the victim in the water. This was probably one of the lifebuoys that are permanently installed along the Scheldt quays.

Thanks to that quick rescue action, they managed to fish the man out of the water independently. The fire brigade arrived on site, but only had to provide support. The man was resuscitated on the spot and taken to hospital. His life is currently in danger.