GoFundMe for Bandon hero hits target in 24 hours
A GoFundMe which was set up for a courageous electrician from Bandon who rescued a woman from a sinking car at Kennedy Quay reached its target in under 24 hours.
William Ross, alongside two Belgian fishermen, Farid Langens and Kevin Roos, played a crucial role in freeing the woman.
The trio acted without hesitation and managed to pull the woman from her car, which had entered the water just after midday on Monday.
“We were just finished unloading our catch and we heard some people shouting on the quay. They said ‘There’s a car in the water!’” Farid told Red FM’s 'The Neil Prendeville Show'.
“The car was floating down river, but because of the current it passed so fast we didn’t have time to react. We ran up the quay to the ship that was behind us, and luckily the car hit the ship and that slowed it down,” he said.
“We got on the ship and grabbed a rope with a hook and I jumped in the water, I had the line and my crew members secured the line. We hooked it to the wheel of the car so it couldn’t float any further,” he added.
William Ross, who had seen the commotion explained how he assisted Farid and freed the woman from the sinking car.
“Somebody gave me a hammer, I leant over the side, someone grabbed me by the legs and I broke the back window, but she couldn’t get out that way, so I got onto the roof and broke the side window and myself and Farid got her out,” he said.
“I think anyone would have done the same. If you are able to help, then you help, that’s the way I was brought up,” he added.
During the rescue operation, William lost his phone, prompting 'The Neil Prendeville Show' to establish a GoFundMe page to ensure he could replace it. Through generous public donations it swiftly reached its €1,000 target in less than 24 hours, and any additional funds will be shared between fishermen Farid and Kevin.
The effort of the trio has been described as "an act of bravery and heroism at the highest level“ by Victor Shine, the second officer of the Cork City Fire Brigade. “It was absolutely superb and they should be very proud of themselves,” he said.
Speaking about the potential danger of the open quays in the city, Mr Shine had this to say: “They are commercial quays and there is a barrier along the edge of the water to prevent cars rolling into the water. It is difficult with a port, quays and exposed river edges everywhere.”
“During the summer we saw people swimming at the edge of these commercial quays which isn’t appropriate. People need to be wary of their own safety,” he added.