Hero Gendarme Awarded for Saving 76-Year-Old Man Trapped Under Wheelchair in River

A gendarme from the "Ștefan cel Mare" Bacău unit received the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Emblem of Honor for his heroic act of saving a 76-year-old man from drowning.

The incident occurred in June in the Șupan neighborhood of Comănești. Off-duty gendarme Ilie Costin observed a man with mobility impairments who had fallen into the Șupănel River with his electric wheelchair. According to the Bacău Gendarmerie Inspectorate, the victim was trapped under the weight of the wheelchair, with his face in the water and unable to call for help.

Without hesitation, Costin entered the river, freed the elderly man, and carried him to the roadside. He then drove the man home in his personal vehicle and ensured he was safely reunited with his family. Following the rescue, Costin returned to the riverbank to retrieve the electric wheelchair, which was essential for the man's mobility.

Colonel Eusebiu Bârnat, chief inspector of the Bacău Gendarmerie Inspectorate, praised Costin's civic spirit and courage. "I wish to express my appreciation to our non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Ilie Costin, for the civic spirit and courage he demonstrated. His action confirms once again that gendarmes are permanently at the service of citizens, intervening with empathy and professionalism, regardless of whether they are on or off duty. I congratulate him for this honorable and well-deserved distinction!" Bârnat stated.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs recognized the gendarme's devotion and service. This incident follows other recent acts of bravery by gendarmes, including the rescue of an infant from a hot car and the life-saving intervention for an elderly man impaled on a metal fence.

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I wish to express my appreciation to our non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Ilie Costin, for the civic spirit and courage he demonstrated. His action confirms once again that gendarmes are permanently at the service of citizens, intervening with empathy and professionalism, regardless of whether they are on or off duty. I congratulate him for this honorable and well-deserved distinction!