Soldier Sacrifices His Life to Save 14 Kids From Sinking Vehicle in Indonesia
![Soldier Sacrifices His Life to Save 14 Kids From Sinking Vehicle in Indonesia](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FEATURED-36.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85&blur=80)
![Soldier Sacrifices His Life to Save 14 Kids From Sinking Vehicle in Indonesia](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FEATURED-36.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
![Carl Samson](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CARLSAMSON_NEXTSHARK.jpg?width=128&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
By Carl Samson
An Indonesian soldier who died while saving children from a sinking vehicle is now being hailed as a hero.
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Randi Suryadi, 25, was among a group of soldiers who got into an accident involving an armored personnel carrier with 14 preschoolers and six teachers.
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The preschoolers were part of dozens from several schools who came to an Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) base in Purworejo, Central Java, for a field trip on March 10.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3-38.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
According to The Jakarta Post, the students rode three M113 armored personnel carriers, one of which slipped and fell into Bogowonto River.
![](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/5-33.jpg?width=1536&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
Along with his comrades, Suryadi saved the children before he succumbed to exhaustion and was taken by the current. He was supposed to get married next week.
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Principal Iswandari of Ananda Preschool, 51, also died in the accident that occurred around 10:15 p.m.
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Suryadi’s body has since been returned to his family in Sumedang, West Java.
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Meanwhile, his friends — who described him as a “cheerful” and a “very good person” — are paying tribute on social media, TribunJabar reported.
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