A Syrian refugee who jumped into the River Avon to rescue an elderly woman has been honoured by the fire service for his bravery and selflessness.
Samer Jouha, 49, a father of three from Evesham, has received a Chairman’s Certificate of Commendation from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service after rescuing 80-year-old Wendy Snell when she fell into the River Avon off Crown Meadows on August 1.
The award is presented to “an individual who has made a significant contribution to community safety”.
Mr Jouha said he was delighted to receive the recognition.
“I am very, very happy to have won the award,” he said. “We thought we would get a thank you, but we did not think we would get a medal.”
The dramatic rescue unfolded while Mr Jouha and his wife were out walking near the river.
His son, Ayham Jouha, said: “My parents were walking and they heard a loud drop. A little child went to look, and he looked shocked. My father thought there must have been something wrong because he heard a loud boom.
“My dad ran over, looked, and saw a lady in the river. Without thinking, he jumped in.”
Mr Jouha entered the water and helped rescue the pensioner, earning praise for his quick-thinking actions.
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Originally from Damascus, Mr Jouha and his family fled war-torn Syria in 2011. They moved to Lebanon before finding safety in Britain through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, which brought them to Evesham, where they have now lived for nearly eight years.
Ayham said his father’s actions reflected his desire to give something back to the community that welcomed the family.
“He is very, very happy to have helped,” he said. “We have lived in Evesham for nearly eight years after moving from Lebanon. He saw something wrong and wanted to fix it.
“We came to this country, and everyone helped us. He just wanted to pay something back.”
The Chairman’s Certificate of Commendation recognises Mr Jouha’s courage and community spirit after he risked his own safety to help a stranger in danger.
What began as an ordinary walk beside the River Avon ended with a life-saving rescue and a well-deserved honour for a man whose family found a new home in Evesham and who was determined to give something back.
