Helicopter rescuers awarded for saving two men from raging river

Four pilots of border police have received state awards today for saving the lives of two men in the country’s western region of Samegrelo.

• See also: Inspiring shots of how helicopter rescuers save two men from raging river [VIDEO]

Two men were gathering firewood at the bank of the Khobi River last week when instantly water surged and they appeared surrounded by raging waves.

The two were standing in the water, waiting for help in the middle of a river. Since rescuers couldn’t get into the water due to the high danger they used a helicopter to save them. Photo by PM's press office

Besik Gabiani, Besik Bakuridze, Shalva Shalibashvili and Dimitri Kaadze used a helicopter to save the individuals from drowning.

Georgia is unanimous in appraising your bravery. It is great honour for me to be standing next to you. I want to thank you for the great heroism you reveal every day”, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili addressed the rescuers today.

Kvirikashvili said it was not a long ago when the whole country watched the inspiring shots of how helicopter rescuers saved two men from raging river.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Interior Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili took pictures with the children of the pilots who have saved the lives of two men in the region of Samegrelo last week. Photo by PM's press office

Thanking the rescuers Kviriashvili said the whole Georgia is proud of them for the bravery they revealed when they put themselves under danger and did not step back for saving the lives of others.