“I saw two kids crying for help. At that point, I didn’t think about anything, I just wanted to save their lives so I jumped into the wadi but the water was heavy and fighting the force wasn’t easy. I put all my might to save the kids. I never thought about myself and I never did it for any fame. I felt it was my responsibility to rescue them. The biggest lesson I learnt from this is never to be a spectator. I would have done it for anyone”

These are the words of Ali Nasser Al Wardi who saved the lives of two children from drowning in a dramatic wadi rescue amidst rainfall in Bahla in Wilayat Nizwa on Friday. Ali has been hailed a hero on the Internet for valiantly jumping in to save the kids, without much regard for his own life. Ali’s fearlessness and quick thinking ensured that the two children survived. 

Speaking exclusively to The Arabian Stories, Ali explained the dramatic incident. “I was watching the wadi flow. My father and brother were there too. That’s when I spotted these two children playing in the wadi. At first the water was flowing slowly but then quickly the force became stronger. They took shelter by sitting on a rock but then I knew they wouldn’t be able to hold on to it for long. I quickly decided to get into action. I tied the rope that was there in my car and jumped into the water to save them.”

Ali, who works with the Royal Navy of Oman also thanked the people who helped him. “I must thank those who were there. I think in a situation like this, standing together is important and I wouldn’t have done this without them. I don’t even know their names,” he said.    

Soon after Ali’s heroic act went viral on social media, the public urged authorities to honour him. “I am getting many calls from people but like I said I didn’t do it for fame. It was the fatherly instinct. I would have done it for anyone,” Ali added with a smile.