Off-duty United States military personnel stationed in South Korea stepped in to rescue 21 passengers from an overturned tour bus during heavy rainfall in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, according to an announcement from Osan Air Base. Spc. Karan Sharma and fellow service members were traveling to visit the Demilitarized Zone on June 20 when they witnessed the vehicle lose traction on a wet, sloped roadway and slide backward before flipping over.
Military Personnel Intervene in Paju Bus Accident
According to Fox 4, their own transport vehicle was directly behind the tour bus that encountered hazardous driving conditions on the rain-slicked incline. When the bus lost control and rolled onto its side, trapping 21 civilians inside, Sharma and his peers immediately exited their vehicle to render aid.
The soldiers smashed the front windshield of the overturned bus to clear an exit route for the trapped occupants. Beyond extracting the passengers, the service members administered emergency first aid to individuals who sustained injuries and remained at the scene until local emergency responders arrived, as reported by Osan Air Base.
Command Highlights Service Members’ Response
Leadership at Osan Air Base praised the quick thinking and decisive action of the soldiers involved in the rescue operation. Capt. Laura Hayden of the U.S.
Base officials emphasized that the deployment of core values extended far beyond normal working hours. Command representatives noted that the dedication, readiness, and service-oriented mindset instilled through military training remain active even when personnel are off duty.
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