The quick thinking and bravery of a visiting U.S. Air Force serviceman saved the lives of two Zambians, March 9, 2009.
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Keith Andrews, who was part of a delegation visiting Zambia last week from the U.S. Air Force Air War College, jumped into the rapidly moving Zambezi River about 60 meters from the edge of Victoria Falls, in order to grab two young Zambian women who had inadvertently fallen into the river. Andrews was able hold onto the women, despite the fast current, and eventually pull them to safety.
According to witnesses, one of the women was talking on a cell phone at the edge of the river. Another woman accidentally bumped her, causing both women to fall into the river. They were quickly carried downstream toward the falls. Andrews, who was downstream posing for a photograph, heard screams and immediately moved towards the women, who were holding onto each other, and grabbed one woman's wrist. Andrew suffered a slight ankle injury from the incident.
"I was just doing what any one of my colleagues would have done in the same situation," said Andrews.
A witness to the scene, U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Christian Watt, said, "Had he not acted with the speed that he did, I believe these women would have perished over the falls."
The U.S. Air Force Air War College visit consisted of nearly two dozen U.S. military servicemen, who visited Zambian counterparts during their weeklong stay. The visit was hosted by the U.S. Mission.
(Editor's note: U.S. Africa Command - AFRICOM -- coordinates U.S. military support to American diplomacy in African nations.)