Heroic act: A young man with Down syndrome rescued a child’s life.
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Valerio Catoya is a young man with Down’s syndrome from Italy. He was relaxing with his father on the beach in Sabaudia on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Suddenly they heard cries for help.
As they looked into the distance, they spotted two girls being swept away by the waves into the open sea. Without a second thought, Valerio and his father immediately rushed into the water and quickly swam towards them.
Since childhood, Valerio loved swimming and attended swimming classes at the pool. He participated in the Special Olympics. In addition, the young man completed a course in first aid and water rescue.
The victims turned out to be two sisters, aged 10 and 14. Valerio, holding the younger girl’s head above water, swam with her to the shore. His father helped the older girl reach the shore.
Valerio’s brave act was written about in local newspapers.
