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by Lala Ter-Ghazaryan

This photo of Armenian rescuer Gor Karapetyan, a 28-year-old resident of Tsakhkahovit village, went viral on social media and stirred up discussion among Armenian users earlier today.

Karapetyan began working in the rescue service of Aragatsotn province two years ago.

“:I have just done my job. There was a snowstorm, and I covered the child’s face with a shirt to keep him warm. Then I put him into another car, Their car got stuck, and the car heater did not work,” Gor told Panorama.am.

Other rescuers pushed the car back to the road. The kid who spent a few hours in a stuck car was in good condition. Gor has had no information about him since then. 

“I treated him like my own child – as if my own child was in a difficult situation,” said Gor whose only son was born several months ago.

Chief of the Aragatsotn regional rescue service Avetik Manukyan told Panorama.am that at 4:06 am this morning they received a call about cars stuck in snow on Aragats-Artik motorway, The rescue operations ended around 12:40 pm today. 75 cars with 150 passengers, including 12 children, were stuck in snow.  

Manukyan is a veteran of the rescue service. In 20 years, he has risen to private to colonel. During that period he has heard many words of gratitude.

“On some occasions  parents came to my home, while others invited me to visit them.  For example, there was case when a child’s fingers had been caught in a meat grinder. Doctors wanted to cut off his fingers, but our rescuers saved his hand. His parents said he will become a rescuer when he grows up. There are so many things to remember,” the department chief noted.

According to him, in addition to bonuses granted by the minister twice a year, the regional department gives medals and monetary awards to rescuers.

“They are appreciated, also  by the minister”, he said.

The department chief does not know at the moment what award will be conferred on Gor Karapetyan whose photo went viral today.

“We just carry out duties. If we do our work in anticipation of a reward, it would not be a good thing. Gor saved a child. His deed will be appreciated,” Manukyan  said.