Hongkonger honoured for bravery after dying while trying to save girl in sea
Vincent So awarded silver medal for diving into water to try to save girl who was attempting suicide
A Hongkonger has been posthumously awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery for jumping into the ocean to try to save a young girl who was attempting suicide, an act that ultimately led to his death.
The government said on Friday that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had awarded Vinson So Yuet-leung, who died aged 60, the medal to recognise his “gallantry and selflessness” displayed in sacrificing his life by jumping into the waters at Aberdeen Harbour near South Horizons to rescue the girl on April 11 this year.
The 15-year-old died two days later in an intensive care unit.
“Facing such an urgent life-threatening situation and despite [the fact] he was not acquainted with her and without professional training or equipment, Mr So still jumped into the sea without hesitation in an attempt to save the girl and unfortunately lost his life in the end,” the government said.
“Mr So bravely volunteered to save a person by risking his own life, demonstrating admirable courage and deserved the greatest respect.”
The award will be presented at the government’s annual honours and awards presentation ceremony being held later this month.
Following his death, the government gave So’s family HK$6 million (US$770,900) in July under a financial help scheme for family members of those who have sacrificed their lives to save others.
