The Amsterdam police awarded a Zilveren Thuim to the man who rescued nine passengers from a sinking van in the Prinsengracht a week ago. The 29-year-old Henk Cornelissen immediately jumped into the canal when the van hit the water, and managed to open one of the doors.
“A heroic action. All emergency services agreed on that,” the Amsterdam police said at NH News† “That is why the police, fire brigade and Amsterdam rescue brigade are putting him in the spotlight together.”
The van with nine Polish tourists on board drove into the Prinsengracht last week, probably during a parking maneuver and began to sink almost immediately. “I heard a big splash,” said Cornelissen earlier† “I ran over to it and when I was at the dock I didn’t have to think. I took off my coat and jumped into the water.”
Experienced diver
The Poles were lucky. The 29-year-old Amsterdammer dives as a hobby and has a lot of experience with diving in cold water. He opened one of the doors of the van so that the occupants could get out. Seven of them swam straight to shore. Two others turned out to be unable to swim. “I kept them with me,” said Cornelissen. “A tour boat skilfully parked parallel to the bus, so they could safely get on the canal boat. They immediately gave blankets to warm up.”
The Silver Thumb is awarded by the police to Amsterdammers who have performed an exceptional performance. In most cases this concerns crucial assistance to people in need.
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