Rest Stop Employee Saves Homeless Man During Heatwave

A rest stop employee's quick thinking and compassion are being credited with saving a homeless man during a severe heatwave in Danyang, South Korea. Im Soo-hyun, an employee at the Danyangpalgyeong Rest Stop, noticed the man, identified only as 'A', in his car, which was parked on the rest stop grounds.

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I asked the county for help, thinking something serious might happen in this heat. I'm glad he seems to be recovering thanks to the swift action.

Concerned for 'A's well-being in temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), Im found the man in a dire state. The car had run out of fuel, rendering the air conditioning useless, and was filled with discarded clothing and water bottles. Im observed that 'A' was covered in mosquito bites and appeared to be in very poor health, leading to fears for his life.

Im contacted the Danyang County office, which promptly dispatched a welfare team. A case manager from the team found 'A' to be severely underweight, having lost 15-20 kg (33-44 lbs), and in a state of despair. The team arranged temporary accommodation in a nearby lodging facility and provided meals.

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Mr. A was so emaciated, having lost more than 15-20 kg from his usual weight, and was in a state of self-abandonment. If not for Im's report, something terrible could have happened.

'A' has reportedly been drifting between regions for years, and his lack of a registered address in Danyang complicated his access to social services. The county is now pursuing a change of address for him to facilitate the provision of tailored welfare services and is assisting in finding employment. Im expressed a desire to share a meal with 'A' once he has recovered.

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I've been doing volunteer work in my spare time, so maybe that's why I noticed Mr. A. I want to share a meal with him once he recovers his physical and mental health.