Brave teen steps up to save toddler from well after 11 hours of unsuccessful rescue efforts

Some people display remarkable kindness and bravery, especially when it's difficult to do so. Sometimes, their actions even involve risking their own lives to save those of others. One such inspiring example comes from Romania, where a teenager named Cristian Marian Becheanu stepped up when a three-year-old boy, Gabriel, fell into a well. When hours of rescue attempts proved unsuccessful, Cristian took on the monumental task himself and successfully rescued the toddler against all odds. Cristian, who shares his journey on Instagram as @cristianmarianbecheanu, proved that extraordinary courage can emerge in the toughest moments.

A widely-circulated video of the incredible event showed that efforts to save the young boy had been ongoing for quite some time, with a large group of rescue workers gathered around the well where the child had fallen. Despite their persistence, all attempts to save the boy had failed. That’s when Becheanu stepped in and volunteered to descend into the well. With the support of the rescue team, the teenager was tied to ropes and lowered into the hole in the ground where he carefully searched for the child. After a tense wait, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Becheanu emerged, holding the three-year-old in his arms. The boy was immediately embraced by onlookers, who celebrated the heroic teenager. In his Instagram post, Becheanu humbly wrote, "I did what had to be done. I am proud of that act."

The incident took place back in April 2013, as per CVL Press. Becheanu, then a teenager and a student from Dolj County, received an award at the Prefectural College meeting for his brave act. He was also awarded diplomas, promised summer trips and camps and much more. He received a bicycle and a tablet from a commercial company and an allowance of 500 lei a month from the Artego Humanitarian Foundation until the end of 2013, as per the outlet. The teenager dreamed of becoming a firefighter when he grew up. "Every time we see on national television and on the front page of newspapers that only bad things happen here. Now, thanks to the courage of this young man, an entire country watched us and admired his courage, and that makes us proud of him and we, the Dolj County Council, will be by his side and support him," the then-president of the Dolj County Council, Ion Prioteasa, expressed.

"We need examples provided by people like Marian Becheanu. He is an example for today's young people and that is why we will be by his side and we will give him the opportunity to go to a camp made available by the institution that I represent. I congratulate him once again for the courage he showed," said Alina Ionescu, director of the County Directorate for Sport and Youth. Ionescu also told the outlet about the support the teenager would receive to fulfill his dream of becoming a firefighter. "I am very happy. I will have the opportunity to see so many locations. So far, I have not been to the sea. I want to thank all those who are by my side and I promise that I will not disappoint them," Becheanu stated.

People took to the comments section of the video to appreciate the brave act. @the_lizzy_jon wrote, "Love you so much! Much love all the way from Nigeria! You’re a hero!" @micaela.tosoni.3 commented, "Every time I see it, I cry, seeing a father have to give up his son to save another's life... at that moment, he knew he had raised his son well. Congratulations!" @moises.mangones remarked, "A great act of bravery, of which few are seen today, God bless you!"

You can follow Cristian Marian Becheanu (@cristianmarianbecheanu) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.