14 years of participating in rescue operations on Lo Xo Pass.

Haunted by the tragic deaths of two people who suffocated to death in a car that plunged into a ravine on the Lo Xo pass, Dinh Van Hoang has strived to reach the scene as quickly as possible to rescue victims for over 10 years.

The Lo Xo Pass, part of National Highway 14, is 37 km long and runs through Dak Glei district (Kon Tum province) and Phuoc Son district (Quang Nam province). The steep, treacherous road, with its many ravines and high mountains, has become a nightmare for drivers.

Mr. Dinh Van Hoang during a rescue operation on Lo Xo Pass. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Late one night in early 2009, 37-year-old Hoang unexpectedly received a call from his sister, who was on medical duty at the top of Lo Xo Pass, informing him of a serious accident (a truck carrying noodles had crashed off the twin bridge in Dak Man commune) about 3 km from where he lived.

Having just had an appendectomy a week earlier, Hoang didn't hesitate. He quickly grabbed a machete and flashlight and rushed to the scene on his motorbike. In his mind, he was hoping things weren't as his sister had described on the phone.

Upon arrival, a large number of police and local residents were already present. At the bottom of the ravine, about 100 meters deep, the front of the truck was crushed, and tons of flour had buried the cabin. Hoang quickly approached and, along with others, worked to remove the agricultural products from the cab. About 30 minutes later, the driver and co-driver were pulled out, but they had already died from suffocation.

"At that time, I was exhausted, but I still tried to carry the bodies up the road," Hoang recalled, adding that the scene always haunted him, "If I had arrived at the scene sooner, perhaps things would have been different." This is also the reason that has motivated him to participate in rescue efforts on Lo Xo Pass for the past 14 years.

The name Hoang Lo Xo gradually became known to everyone. His motorbike repair shop is located at the top of the pass, just a few dozen meters from the traffic police station, so when accidents happen, he is always informed and participates in rescue efforts. Occasionally, drivers also notify him when they encounter accidents. "My phone is never turned off. Whether it's a big or small accident, I always try to be there as soon as possible," he said.

The Lo Xo Pass rescue team assisted in bringing the person trapped inside the cabin out. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Having witnessed and rescued people from many horrific accidents, he said the most haunting was the 2015 bus accident in which 31 people plunged into a ravine. When he arrived at the scene at 11 am, he saw the bus lying more than 80 meters deep in the ravine, its front end stuck to a tree trunk and completely wrecked.

The passengers inside the vehicle were panicking, many covered in blood, and constantly screaming for help. He approached, used a hammer to break the car's windows, and together with the authorities, helped them get out one by one. He carried those who were seriously injured to the road. The rescue lasted nearly 3 hours; one passenger died, and all the seriously injured received timely medical attention.

"I don't know what motivates me to be so strong, I don't feel tired. I carry one person after another, climbing cliffs effortlessly," Hoang recounted, adding that every time he came home in his smelly, blood-stained clothes, his wife would advise him against "carrying the burden of the whole community," but whenever he heard about an accident, he couldn't help but rush to the scene.

With years of experience in rescue operations, he said that one must not rush. Even if there are people trapped inside the vehicle, he should only stand outside and try to get each victim out one by one, because rushing in would only cause more pain to the injured inside. At the same time, rescuers must carry all the necessary equipment.

Seeing the meaningful work of Mr. Hoang, in 2017, Mr. Ngo Quang Quyet joined and established the Lo Xo Pass SOS Team, with 8 members (aged 26-40), all working as mechanics, electricians, or small traders at the top or bottom of the pass. To date, the Facebook group has 12,000 members, mostly drivers and local residents.

The team's motto is to get to the scene as quickly as possible to rescue people in distress on the pass. The team also uses social media to warn about landslides, traffic jams, and dangerous black spots on the pass... The phone number of the Lo Xo Pass SOS team is always printed on the cliffs and railings so that people can contact them in case of an emergency.

Traffic accident rescue team on Lo Xo Pass

The SOS team at Lo Xo Pass coordinated with authorities to rescue victims and collect goods from an accident in February 2023. Video : Ngoc Oanh

According to the group's principle, whenever they hear about an accident on the mountain pass, whoever is closest to the scene will be the first to arrive to assist the authorities in taking the victims to the hospital and collecting goods. "If we arrive a second faster, the victims will have a greater chance of survival, and they will suffer less," said a member of the team.

Recently in February, a family of four traveling in a passenger car was crushed by an oncoming truck. After more than 30 minutes of cutting through the roof, the rescue team managed to extricate all four victims. However, the father and son in the car died. The mother and her child were rescued. "At first, I was scared, but when I saw the team members rushing into the scene to rescue people, I felt less afraid and joined in," said Ho Dac Dien (29 years old, an automotive electrical repairman).

Recognizing the team's meaningful activities, a business donated some traffic rescue equipment such as walkie-talkies, warning sticks, signs, reflective raincoats, vehicle tow cables, personnel towing cables, first aid kits, hydraulic pliers, air compressors, etc.

Besides rescue operations, the team also mobilizes benefactors to donate gifts, clothes, and necessities to disadvantaged households, adopts many orphans, and builds three suspension bridges in the district. Whenever there are storms or floods, the team also goes to landslide-affected areas to help people clear mud and debris, and reopen roads...

Dak Glei District has awarded numerous Certificates of Commendation to honor and encourage members for their achievements in rescue operations on Lo Xo Pass. In 2020, the team was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Kon Tum Province for outstanding achievements in implementing the campaign "Studying and following the thoughts, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh ".

Tran Hoa

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