(Jamaica Gleaner) A teen from the Kilmarnock district in St Elizabeth is being hailed as a hero after running inside a burning building to rescue an elderly man with a physical disability.
The youngster is 18-year-old Aldain Daley, who, on May 17 of this year, ran into the burning home of Vernon Sewell, an 86-year-old retired farmer, after the senior citizen reportedly left his gas stove on by accident.
Young Daley was hanging out with friends at a section of the community when they spotted smoke coming from Sewell’s home, located on a nearby hill.
“So, same time I turned to my friends and say, we can’t be here so and make the man burn up. After that, I ran off, ran down the hill and ran up here so, and when I look the fire was blazing inside,” the teen tells JIS News.
The youngster began calling out to Sewell, who was nowhere to be seen as the fire continued to spread. However, moments later, the young man spotted the elderly man barely making his way onto the veranda through a plume of smoke.
He was desperately calling out for help, as he lived alone, and because of his disability, moved very slowly.
“So, I ran up the stairs and reached the veranda. A blockage was there and I had to kick it away. I call to him and it was like him can’t come. So, I go there and a try lead him and he still can’t move. So, I ended up having to lift him up and carry him go out on the step,” Daley explains.
It was at this point two of young Daley’s friends arrived on the scene to render some assistance. Working together, they brought Sewell down from the hill and away from the fire that by then had completely engulfed the building.
A crowd soon converged at the scene and emergency services were called for help.
Sewell reportedly sustained minor burns across 20 per cent of his body, to include his face. He was transported to the Black River Hospital where he currently remains in stable condition.
“He would not be alive today, from my observation. If we were like three or four more minutes late, he would burn up, but luckily he got saved and I’m glad that nothing severe do him,” Daley says.
‘I DID WHAT WAS RIGHT’
“Though, to tell you the truth, I don’t know where that braveness came from that day. It just appeared and I did what was right. Also, growing up knowing Maas Vernon, him did kind to me and stuff, so I couldn’t be at a close range where I could a help him and make him get burn up, no matter the circumstances,” he adds.
Daley is a past student of the Black River High School in the parish. He spends most of his days in the community farming as well as performing other odd jobs. His dream, however, is to one day become a soldier, and he yearns for the opportunity.
“Yes, it is what I believe I can do, because I tell myself I want to be a soldier from a tender age growing up. I also want to see Jamaica be a better place, the community and everybody to live as one and unite,” he says.
The young man’s act of bravery has not gone unnoticed in the community, where family and residents continue to praise him for his heroism.
One resident, Marlon Daley, notes that Daley did a “great and brave job” and that youngsters across Jamaica can take a page from his book.
“Be brave, just like Daley, to go and rescue the elders. Also, I think the youngsters must look around even more deep now for the elders. Check up on them. Just check while you know that the elders are in the community,” he tells JIS News.
Fire personnel at the Santa Cruz Fire Station had responded to the call in the community and managed to put out the blaze that caused an estimated loss of $700,000.
