The US State of Kentucky has been hit by massive floods making hundreds of people homeless and killing several.
“At least 37 people have now died in flash floods in eastern Kentucky, as the region braces for more rainfall –
At least six children – including four siblings, aged one to eight, who was reportedly swept from their parents’ grip – are among the dead.” BBC reported.
Among the 37 people who lost their lives in the national tragedy, there was a father of five children who died a hero.
According to CNN, Gabriel Hensley was a thirty-year-old coal miner who tried to help an injured driver while he was being swept away by floodwaters.
On July 28, 2022, Gabriel finished his mining shift and was heading home when he saw a driver drowning in flood water. So, he informed his wife and rushed to his brother-in-law’s house to look for help.
“All (Hensley) could say is ‘he’s bleeding, he’s bleeding,'” his wife Macy told CNN.
“Without a second thought, Hensley drove to my house, which was nearby, to ask for help for the wounded driver. But when I went back with him, we couldn’t find him despite a lengthy search,” Said Chase Williams, Hensley’s brother-in-law.
“So we decided to help get home safely but unfortunately, we got caught in the floodwater. We got down the road a little bit but in a matter of minutes the water rose up enough where it picked up the truck and took us both into the creek.”
“The water was so powerful that it swept away my husband’s red truck,” said Macy. “I almost lost my brother too, while he was trying to save my husband.”
“He and my brother were out trying to help people,” she told the Lexington Herald Reader.
“The current was too fast. Williams managed to hold on to a tree and escaped the waters. He made it to the bank of a creek and immediately used his phone’s flashlight to signal for help. Neighbors who saw the sign for help without delay got out to look for Hensley but in vain.” She added.
According to CNN, Williams escaped through the truck’s passenger door and used a tree to lift himself up to make it to the creek’s bank. There he turned on his phone’s flashlight and called for help.
“The neighbors who saw the flash responded, and the group began searching for Hensley.”
“We looked for Gabe for a very long time that night, but we could never find him,” said Williams.
Later Hensley’s body was discovered. He left behind a window and five kids, including a 10-week-old son.
“He was a family man,” his wife told the outlet. “No matter the storm. No matter how bad it got. He just wanted to get home to his home and family.”
Speaking to the outlet, Hensley’s cousin Kent Daniels said, “he was a hardworking Eastern Kentucky guy who would give you whatever he had. Eastern KY lost a hero. If he died helping someone out, that’s the definition of a hero.”
What are your thoughts on Gabriel Hensley’s story? Let us know in the comments.
Sources:
Images & Featured Images Credits: Lexington Herald Reader
