SANTIAGO – A Haitian immigrant has been hailed a hero after risking his own life by trying to catch this woman as she plunged from a ninth-floor flat in Chile.
Video footage taken by neighbors living opposite showed the women holding on to a balcony edge before falling to what should have been a certain death.
But Richard Joseph, a Haitian immigrant living in the South American country for last three years, was below her – and cushioned her fall with his own body as she hurtled towards the ground and witnesses could be heard screaming on homemade videos of the dramatic moment.
Aqui estas el momento mismo donde la señora se tiro del decimo piso del edificio. Y Richard Joseph un membro de la Organización Buena Onda la recibio en sus brazos. pic.twitter.com/iwFuFXY5WE
— Lovely Beauge (@beauge_lovely) November 19, 2017
Both were rushed to hospital alive – with the unnamed woman’s savior suffering a knee, foot and arm injuries.
It remains unclear whether it was a suicide attempt or not.
President Michelle Bachelet thanked the Haitian in a meeting with him at La Moneda.
Hoy me reuní con Richard Joseph, el ciudadano haitiano que el domingo salvó a una persona. Su acción nos habla del Chile que queremos construir, solidario y que se involucra en el bienestar colectivo. ¡Richard, gracias a ti hoy somos un mejor país! pic.twitter.com/zjq1EOZd4M
— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) November 22, 2017
Millionaire Chilean businessman and philantrophist Leonardo Farkas has already promised to donate nearly £2,500 towards Joseph’s medical costs after the incident in Independencia, a commune to the north of the capital Santiago.
Díganle a Richard Joseph, Héroe Haitiano que le salvó la vida a compatriota, dónde le deposito dos millones para pagar sus gastos de hospital:
¡Notable acto de valentía y coraje! https://t.co/y0T6VLR7RV
Leonardo Farkas #CHILE— leonardofarkas (@leonardofarkas) November 20, 2017
“I did not think it was dangerous for me, I had in my mind to receive her,” Joseph told La Tercera.
Protests follow Haitian mother’s death in Chilean police custody
While Joseph’s heroic action has earned him huge respect, the Haitian is also receiving job offers on social media.
Por favor díganle a Richard Joseph, el héroe haitano que salvó a una señora, que le ofrezco trabajo en mi oficina. #heroe
— Rodrigo Ferrada (@RoFerrada) November 19, 2017
Richard joseph joven haitiano que salvó a mujer que cayó del piso 9 ! Te mereces todo el respeto del pueblo Chileno !!
— ⚽Felipeppers (@pipediazf) November 19, 2017
Con mucho orgullo hoy reconocimos el valor de Richard Joseph, su compromiso por la vida y nos demuestra que su actitud es indispensable para llevar una vida más comprometida.@Muni_Indep @Duranbaronti @andreinandrei pic.twitter.com/mkVsCo0hjd
— Patricia Gaete (@GaeteConcejala) November 21, 2017
