NY ex-firefighter helps save passengers in Philippines ferry disaster

[zwiebel]

The Kim Nirvana ferry carrying 173 passengers has overturned close to the shore near Leyte in the central Philippines. The rescue is ongoing but 36 people are reported dead and 19 still missing.

http://www.ibtimes.com/philippine-b...apsizes-least-33-killed-search-rescue-1993498

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33358610?OCID=twitterasia

News has also just broken that a retired, Rochester New York firefighter and EMT named Lawrence Drake was aboard who helped rescue other passengers.

Mark Gruba (@MarkGruba) tweeted at 12:17pm - 2 Jul 15:

BREAKING @CBSNews says Lawrence Drake, retired #ROC firefighter & EMT among survivors in Phillipines ferry accident, saved others @News_8 (https://twitter.com/MarkGruba/status/616551245021638656?s=17)

 

[zwiebel]

48-year-old Lawrence Drake was with his wife and mother-in-law. All three survived. The man tried to push the ferry back on his own as it began to tip, but it overturned so fast there was nothing anyone could do.

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/ar...d-19-missing-as-ferry-capsizes-in-philippines

 

[zwiebel]

Perhaps there may be more people trapped in the upturned hull who are still alive. Hope so.