Twenty-Five Seconds Per Life: The Heroic Story of Shavarsh Karapetyan
Shavarsh Karapetyan, a world champion in finswimming, is famous not just for his athletic achievements, but for an incredible act of heroism. On one unforgettable day, he risked his life to save others.
He rescued 20 people from a drowning accident, an act so inspiring that an asteroid was even named after him. However, Shavarsh himself doesn’t like to talk about that day.
The Accident in Yerevan
On the morning of September 16, 1976, a trolleybus was driving through Yerevan, Armenia. For reasons still unknown, the trolleybus veered off a bridge and plunged into a reservoir called Yerevan Lake. Some believe the driver had a heart attack, while others think a passenger caused the accident by attacking the driver.
Nearby, Shavarsh Karapetyan, then only 23 years old, was practicing his sport. When he heard the loud crash, he didn’t hesitate. He and his brother Kamo, who was also a champion swimmer, ran to help.
“I was scared at first. It sounded like an explosion,” Shavarsh later said. But he knew that many lives were at risk. The trolleybus, now 33 feet underwater, was like a metal coffin with passengers trapped inside.
Diving Into Danger
Shavarsh jumped into the cold, murky water without hesitation. He broke a window to help people escape, diving down repeatedly in dangerous conditions. Drowning people often grab anything in sight, including their rescuer, but Shavarsh was prepared. As a professional swimmer, he knew to let them pull him down temporarily, as they would eventually let go, giving him a chance to bring them to the surface.
In total, Shavarsh dove about 40 times, going in and out through broken glass and feeling around in the darkness for people to save. Each dive took about 25 seconds – precious seconds that could mean the difference between life and death.
On one dive, he accidentally grabbed a seat cushion instead of a person. This haunted him for a long time, as he felt he might have saved another life instead. Out of the 92 people on the trolleybus, Shavarsh saved 37, but sadly only 20 could be revived by doctors.
The Impact on Shavarsh’s Health and Career
After the rescue, Shavarsh was hospitalized. He suffered from septic fever, double-sided pneumonia, and exhaustion. It took over a month for doctors to stabilize him. Once he was discharged, he wanted to return to his sport, despite the damage to his health.
In his next competition, his brother Kamo stood ready at the poolside, prepared to rescue him if needed. Shavarsh, driven to prove himself one last time, won the race and set a world record – though he didn’t realize it in the moment.
However, this was his last competition. Swimming underwater had become painful and made him feel sick. He eventually had to retire from the sport he loved.
After retiring, he tried coaching but eventually found work at an electronics factory. Even though his athletic career was cut short, Shavarsh remained content, believing that saving those lives was his greatest achievement.
A Hero in Yerevan
News of the trolleybus rescue spread slowly. At the time, the Soviet press did not cover accidents like these, so the story only became widely known years later when a newspaper published an article on it. Soon, thousands of letters came pouring in from all over the Soviet Union, addressed simply to “The Armenian Republic, Yerevan, Shavarsh Karapetyan.”
Other Acts of Heroism
Remarkably, this was not Shavarsh’s first heroic act. In 1974, he saved a bus full of people from rolling off a cliff. Later, in 1985, he helped firefighters when a building caught fire, getting injured in the process. “Sometimes, people just find themselves in situations where they have to help,” Shavarsh said. “The main thing is to remember what makes you human.”
Today, Shavarsh Karapetyan still contributes to the community. He coaches his son, Tigran, hoping he will carry on the family legacy. He also leads the Shavarsh Karapetyan Foundation, organizing swimming competitions for young athletes. His message to the new generation is clear: “We all owe each other. We should help each other whenever we can.”
A Legacy of Heroism
Shavarsh Karapetyan was a remarkable swimmer, with 11 world records, 17 world championship titles, 13 European titles, and seven Soviet titles. He was only 24 when he retired due to injuries from the rescue. It’s incredible to think of what he could have achieved had his career continued. But Shavarsh sees himself as a “happy man” because, to him, those lives he saved were worth everything.
“Indifference depends on the well-being of society,” he said, encouraging others to seek out acts of kindness. “Kindness grows from love. We must teach our children to love from a young age.”
The Aurora Prize and Shavarsh’s Influence
In honor of people who, like Shavarsh, dedicate their lives to saving others, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was established. This award recognizes individuals who make a significant difference in preserving human life and advancing humanitarian efforts. Each year, the winner receives $100,000 for their personal use and an additional $1,000,000 to donate to an organization that inspired their work.
The first ceremony for the Aurora Prize took place on April 24, 2016, in Yerevan, Armenia – a fitting location to honor heroes like Shavarsh Karapetyan.
Shavarsh Karapetyan’s story is a powerful reminder of human courage and selflessness. Despite having his athletic career cut short, he showed the world the strength of compassion. His actions that day saved lives, and his legacy continues to inspire. Through his foundation and his example, Shavarsh reminds us all that sometimes, just a few seconds can change lives forever.
FAQs: Shavarsh Karapetyan’s Heroic Rescue
1. Who is Shavarsh Karapetyan?
– Shavarsh Karapetyan is a former world champion in finswimming, a sport similar to swimming but with specialized equipment. He is most famous for risking his life to save 20 people after a trolleybus accident in Yerevan, Armenia, in 1976.
2. What happened on September 16, 1976?
– On that day, a trolleybus in Yerevan lost control and plunged into a water reservoir called Yerevan Lake, trapping 92 passengers. Shavarsh, who was nearby training, dove into the lake multiple times to save as many people as he could.
3. How many people did Shavarsh Karapetyan save?
– Shavarsh rescued 37 people from the submerged trolleybus, although only 20 of them could be revived. Despite the challenging conditions, he continued diving into the cold, murky water to reach as many passengers as possible.
4. Why did the trolleybus crash?
– The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. Some people believe the driver had a heart attack, while others think a passenger may have attacked the driver, causing him to lose control.
5. What impact did the rescue have on Shavarsh’s life?
– The rescue took a severe toll on Shavarsh’s health. He suffered from septic fever, pneumonia, and exhaustion, which affected his ability to swim professionally. Despite this, he competed one last time and set a world record but ultimately had to retire from the sport due to his injuries.
6. Did Shavarsh perform other heroic acts?
– Yes, this was not his only act of bravery. In 1974, Shavarsh stopped a bus from rolling off a cliff by grabbing the wheel. Later, in 1985, he helped firefighters at a building fire, getting injured in the process.
7. Why did the Soviet press keep Shavarsh’s story quiet?
– During that time, the Soviet Union often suppressed news of accidents or tragedies. Shavarsh’s story only became widely known six years later, in a 1982 newspaper article. Once published, it gained widespread attention, and thousands of people sent him letters of appreciation.
8. What is the Aurora Prize, and how is it related to Shavarsh’s story?
– The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity honors individuals who make extraordinary efforts to save lives and support humanitarian causes. Established to remember the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, it celebrates people like Shavarsh, who act selflessly to help others.
9. What does Shavarsh Karapetyan do today?
– Today, Shavarsh coaches his son, Tigran, and manages the Shavarsh Karapetyan Foundation, which supports young athletes. Through his work, he encourages people to help each other and value compassion.
10. What message does Shavarsh Karapetyan want to share?
– Shavarsh believes that love and kindness are essential to humanity. He teaches young people to support one another, emphasizing that we all have a responsibility to help each other whenever we can.