Around 5 p.m., a 72-year-old hiker ended up in the water of the Coupure. A witness saw the accident happen and did not hesitate for a moment. He in turn jumped into the water and was able to get the unfortunate walker out of the water with some difficulty. Meanwhile, the emergency services were present en masse with the diving teams of the fire brigade and also the 112 and MUG. “The victim was resuscitated on the spot and transferred to hospital in life-threatening condition,” says police spokesperson Eva Houpels of the Ghent police. “We know that it was an accident because the witness literally saw the man roll off the verge and the lawn edge into the water,” says Eva.
Or can you speak of a heroic deed? “Some caution is required and you have to know what you are doing. Because jumping into ice-cold water with these temperatures is of course not without risks. It is of course nice that people come to the rescue, but it is better to always alert the emergency services. The identity of the victim is not yet known. Not even from the ‘saving angel’.