One of the rescuers of the six-year-old girl who fell into a frozen lake in the “Nicolae Romanescu” Park in Craiova reacts to the online comments and points out who was, in reality, the real hero of that moment.
The message of Mădălin Popescu, one of the men directly involved in saving the child, comes in response to the many comments that appeared on social networks after the incident in the “Nicolae Romanescu” Park, where a six-year-old girl, Anastasia, fell into a frozen lake while she was in the park with her parents.
Against the backdrop of various reactions, Mădălin Popescu felt the need to clarify the truth and bring to the fore perspectives that were not visible in the news or online comments, through a message he posted on Tuesday, January 20, on Facebook.
“My name is Mădălin. Mădălin Popescu. Most of you know me from the media reports about the incident on the lake in the Romanescu Park in Craiova from the past few days. Some of you know me personally. This is my first post on Social Media, although I have had this account on Facebook for many years. Until now I have not felt the need to write here, but now I would like to tell you something”. the man introduced himself, who begins by explaining that although many have called the saviors heroes, the real hero of the story is the little girl.
His message starts from the idea that online reactions have simplified reality, focusing on who jumped into the water first or who was present, how quickly he intervened, etc., without anyone noticing the unimaginable courage and strength of the 6-year-old girl.
“The national press and online comments they called Vipan Kumar a herothe Indian national who entered the lake first. They called me a hero too. The real hero there, however, is someone else… A 6-year-old girl named Anastasia. From the moment he stood up from the sled until the ice broke under him he is a child. Untempered, perhaps disobedient, but a child. The moment the ice broke under her she becomes a Hero. I stayed in the frozen water for less than 10 minutes, Vipan Kumar stayed maybe 20-25 minutes. But Anastasia survived there for more than half an hour. In the first minutes alone, without any help. She kept afloat as best she could. As only a child with a hero’s soul can do.” he wrote.
The child is a fighter
Mădălin Popescu believes that many people tend to look superficially at the events and quickly look for the “hero” of the moment, without noticing the full context, emphasizing that the little girl stood alone in the water, surviving in an almost frozen lake, more than any of the adults managed.
“In near-zero-degree water, which drains heat and life from a body at a much faster rate than mere cold air does. And she continued to fight even after Vipan Kumar reached her and later myself. By the time she was lifted into the lifeboat she had been in the freezing water for more than half an hour. And her struggle did not stop there. The effects of severe hypothermia on a child’s body can be terrible. But it she seems to have won this battle too… So yes, we have a hero in this story. Her name is Anastasia.” he told.
The father did everything in his power
The man also defends Anastasia’s father, harshly criticized online, emphasizing that the accusations are unfair and that the reality is much more complex.
“In the online comments there were many who accused the father of negligence and of not getting involved in the rescue operations. I assure you he did everything humanly possible to reach Anastasia. And maybe more than humanly possible. He did what only a father can do to try to save his child. He just couldn’t get past the thick ice that separated him from him. Do you know what can be in the heart of a caring parent how does the child die? Because that’s what the father thought would happen at the time.” explained Mădălin Popescu, insisting on the fact that, in moments of crisis, people react differently, and criticisms of witnesses or authorities are often superficial.
“Many accusations for those passers-by who were in the park and didn’t intervene. There can be many reasons for those who didn’t get involved. And some fully justified. But there were also many who tried to help. Everyone as they knew and could. And there were also accusations against the fire department or the ISU that they would have moved hard and wouldn’t have intervened effectively. Agreed, there is always room for improvement. But then, in the frenzy at the moment, you can’t do everything perfectly, as it says in the manual. Every situation has its peculiarities, mistakes can also be made, but the important thing is to persevere and act further to solve the situation”. the savior relayed.
Finally, he calls for reflection and empathy, not just for those involved in the incident, but for the community at large.
“Why can’t we first see what is beautiful and good in people and highlight mostly the negative parts (or what we consider to be negative parts)? There are lights and shadows in all of us… let’s remember that, before nationality, opinions or political preferences, we are all Human. And let’s try to see the good parts of those around us more often. In addition, let’s look inside ourselves from time to time. And see what’s happening find there. Let’s be aware of the good and the less bright parts. And then let’s change what we don’t like. And that’s what I had to say. If you think the above makes sense, share them.”
concludes Mădălin Popescu.
It seems that Mădălin Popescu has touched a sensitive chord in the hearts of Romanians, many of them choosing to share it on social networks. “They are texts that cannot be read. They are felt”, wrote Loredana Chimoiu, one of the people who reposted the message.
