Tanzanian Fisherman Awarded $428, Govt Job After Rescuing 24 Passengers From Heinous Plane Crash Incident
A Tanzanian fisherman identified as Jackson Majaliwa, who was among the first responders who helped rescue 24 passengers from the airplane that crashed into Lake Victoria on Sunday has been awarded a cash gift of $428 (equivalent of Tsh1 million) and a government job.
According to Eastern Africa, the Kagera Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, handed over the cash to the fisherman from the lakeside town of Bukoba on Monday.
While some of the passengers of the plane were rescued alive, 19 died.
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Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu offered Mr Majaliwa, a job with the firefighting and rescue brigade and additional rescue operations training to sharpen his skills.
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Speaking to the BBC from his hospital bed in the lakeside town of Bukoba before the government announcement, the Tanzanian fisherman said he panicked as he saw the passenger plane approach from the wrong direction, before plunging into the lake.
He rushed to the scene with three fellow fishermen and helped to open the rear door by smashing it with a rowing oar which helped passengers seated towards the rear of the plane to be rescued.
Mr Jackson said he then moved to the front and dived into the water. He and one of the pilots then communicated with each other by making signs through the cockpit window.
“He directed me to break the window screen. I emerged from the water and asked airport security, who had arrived, if they have any tools that we can use to smash the screen.
“They gave me an axe, but I was stopped by a man with a public announcement speaker from going down and smashing the screen. He said they were already in communication with the pilots and there was no water leakage in the cockpit,” Mr Jackson said.
He added that after being stopped he “dived back and waved goodbye to the pilot“.
