Tomsk authorities have rewarded Andrei Motorykin, the passenger of An-24 plane, who helped to rescue injured people after the plane's emergency landing on the river Ob. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday in the main Office of the Ministry for Emergencies in Tomsk region. The member of regional administration presented Andrei with a letter of commendation and an expensive wristwatch.

      Besides regional awards, Andrei Motorykin will receive a State award for the life-saving of people in the emergency situation.

      

      Andrei said he wasn't the only one who helped to save people. The whole plane's crew, local residents and non-injured passengers took part in the rescue operation, carrying injured people.

"There was no stress, because I felt responsible for the people's lives and knew I should do as much as I could. I was successful not to be injured, I think, my seat in the plane saved me. I have made the first call to my mother, to let her know that I am all right", he said. 

      

      On Monday a passenger An-24 plane, with 36 people on board, ran off the runway during landing in the city of Blagoveshchensk in Russia's Far East. Five people received injuries, three of them, including two adults and a child, were hospitalized. The cause of the incident is under investigation. 

Source: RIA Novosti