Befitting reward for heroic rescuer
IT is written in the Holy Bible, 1 Samuel 2:8 (NIV): He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes….
This could perfectly describe what had happened to Majaliwa Jackson (20), a resident of Miembeni Ward in Bukoba Municipality, who has earned befitting plaudits from the President Samia Suluhu Hassan for risking his life to rescue at least 24 people from the Sunday’s plane crash in Bukoba, Kegera Region.
Precision Air flight PW-494 crash landed into the Lake Victoria as it attempted to land at the Bukoba Airport, killing 19 passengers on board.
And on Monday, Jackson was accorded with a befitting hug by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, and more so, he was reserved with a front seat adjacent to the Premier at the funeral event of the 19 plane crash victims staged at the Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba.
He was also awarded 1m/- in cash by Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC) Mr Albert Chalamila. The young man could not resist the moment, as tears kept rolling down his cheeks, possibly recollecting the memories of what had happened on Sunday and the remarkable recognition he has earned.
Addressing the nation from the Kaitaba Stadium on Monday, Premier Majaliwa said that he had been instructed by President Samia to award the young man.
The president also directed the Minister for Works and Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa to recruit the young man in the Fire and Rescue Force department.
“The young man has showed highest degree of humanity and patriotism by endangering his own life to save other people. The training will enable him (Jackson), to get more skills on rescue operations,” Mr Majaliwa said, while conveying the president’s message.
Recounting the ordeal, the fisherman who was one of the first responders when the passenger plane crashed into Lake Victoria, said he felt unconscious, while trying to save the pilots.
He told the ‘Daily News’ in an interview that it was mere luck that he happened to be around the Bukoba Airport when the accident happened.
“I was at the Lake Victoria shore drying sardines (dagaa) that is my routine work. I spotted the Precision Air aircraft as it approached the airport. However, I sensed that something was wrong and suddenly, the aircraft failed to land and instead started cycling around.
As I was still wondering, the aircraft landed in an awkward position, skewed past the runway and plunged 500 metres into the Lake. I immediately called three other youths and together, we used a small canoe boat and went straight to the aircraft.
I used my paddle (ngalawa) to break the aircraft’s window and started rescuing passengers. We managed to rescue 24 passengers from the plane, who were rushed to the Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
Later, I dived and attempted to break into the aircraft’s cockpit, where the Captain (the late Buruhani Lubaga) and co- pilot were struggling for their lives and water had already filled the aircraft.
I came out again to get more oxygen but in the process, I was knocked unconscious by a rope that I had tied on the aircraft’s wings to save the captain. I lost consciousness and found myself at the Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“It is really a horrible scenario to remember and it keeps crossing into my mind. May the souls of the victims rest in peace,” he said, as tears kept running down his cheeks.
Asked whether he had taken any course on swimming, Jackson said he attended school to Form Two and it was something normal to swim for any person, who grew up along the lake, adding: “God was the one who made me to act swiftly and courageously.”
Prime Minister later led mourners to hand the bodies of passengers to their families and relatives, adding that the government would foot burial costs.
In the course, Stamigold Company donated 500,000/- to every bereaved family, Tembo Nickel donated 10m/-, while Kagera Sugar Limited contributed 19m/-.
The deceased were identified as Buruhani Lubaga (captain), Peter Odhiambo (First Officer), Atulinde Biteya, Aneth Biteya, Neema Faraja, Hanifa Hamza, Aneth Kaaya and Victor Laurian.
Others were Said Nyangawa, Imani Paul, Faraji Yusuph, Lin Zhang (China), Saili Epimack, Zacharia Mlacha, Eunice Ndirangu, Mtani Njegere, Zaituni Shillati and Dr Alice Simwinga.
Those admitted to the Bukoba Regional Referral hospital were identified as Rausath Hassan (26), Protas Mussa (38), Amos Skoth (38), Grace Rugambwa (67), Amina Abdallah (62) and Brenda Temba (Air hostess).
Others were Lydia Ramadhan 25- Air Hostess), Dr Felix Odhiambo (37), Shamiru Ismail (45), Levina Ruhinda (26), Emilk Mwesiga (1.3 months), Jesca Titus (27), Ragi Samwel ((28), Annamary Mitabaro (40).
Richard Komba (41), Emmanuel Amani (28), Nickson Jackson (30), Salehe Omari(56), Edwin Bitegeko (33), Eva Mcharo (38), Josephine Mwakisambwa (34), Theodora Mpesha (46) and Josephina Mbago (53).
