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The sea was rough that
Friday in September; the red flag was up, but the couple in their mid-30s
paid no mind. They dove into the sea in front of the Blue Sky Hotel in
Gournes and a few minutes later they were in trouble, calling for help, as
the strong tide began dragging them towards the treacherous rock jetty.
Help! Help!
The cries were barely audible over the crashing surf.
Alberto Hotza 37, a long-time resident of Crete, was tending to his job, one
he has held for the past 10 years, as beach boy for the hotel, setting up
chairs and umbrellas, keeping the beach tidy – and, oh yeah, one more thing.
“I
always keep my eye out for the swimmers,” Alberto said. “We don’t have a
life guard here, and I don’t claim to be one. But I really like people, and
I always warn them about the rocks and the tide when I get a chance to speak
to them.”
This
time, Alberto didn’t get a chance to talk to the couple, now struggling for
their lives. They arrived at the beach on a motorbike, and went right into
the sea.
Help, help……
Alberto heard the desperate cries and responded immediately. He grabbed two
life preservers he keeps on hand and threw them out to the struggling
couple. The man grabbed his and started to make his way towards shore.
But
the woman, although she held on to the preserver, was unable to swim away
from the threatening rocks.
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Alberto wasted no time. He
dove into the sea, swam out to the drowning woman, and pulled her to safety,
as the crowd, which had gathered on the shore as the drama unfolded,
applauded. One of the crowd, Fran Stride of Elia, called The Khronicles.
“It
was a wonderful act of bravery,” Fran said. “I just thought he should be
recognized for such a deed.”
Alberto, a native of Tirana, Albania,
lives in Kokkini Hani with his wife, Rosemarina, and their 20-month-old son,
Gabriyeto. He has worked for the Blue Sky Hotel for the past 10 years.
“It was no big deal,” Alberto said
modestly. “I’m a very strong swimmer, and, like I said, I really like
people. I’m just glad I was able to help.”
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