CAMDEN, N.J. - June 1, 2012 (WPVI) --
A laundromat owner and worker were the focus of a special ceremony in Camden Friday.
Last month, they jumped into action as a baby was trapped inside a washing machine. It was a joke that went terribly wrong.
"I'm very happy I saved a life, thank you very much," said the hero, smiling.
Who is this hero? A Camden resident who came here alone from Cambodia eight years ago.
Kong Enh will forever be remembered worldwide via YouTube for his quick
response to a potential tragedy, after a toddler was playfully shoved
into a laundromat washer by a foolish baby sitter.
Kong, an
employee at the laundromat on Federal Street knew exactly what to do:
get to the rear of the machine and shut off the circuit breaker, ending
the spin cycle.
The child was shaken. So was everyone present. But the child is okay now and back with his mother.
The business owner and her employee got commendations from Camden Mayor Dana Redd Friday, and they are proud.
"I train all my employees what to do in case of an emergency," said
laundromat owner Lorng Chhour. "And I'm just happy this effort paid
off, because in this case, Mr. Enh, who's a well-trained employee, was
able to save a child."
"I'm happy when I saved the baby's
life," said Enh. "I thank the mayor of the City of Camden very much.
She gives me a certificate, very good to me. Thank you."
In a
town where so much that makes the news is negative, the mayor is
capitalizing on this story of tragedy averted to commend a solid citizen
who remained cool under pressure.
"He went right into action
and you could see that," said Redd. "If he had not been paying
attention, only God knows what may have happened with that child. So
that's why we wanted to celebrate and recognize him."
As they
left City Hall, Kong Enh told his employer his only regret is that the
child's mother has not brought him to the laundromat so the hero can
bond with the boy's mother and the child he saved.
"He really wanted to meet Samir and his mother," said Lorng Chhour. "He has a special attachment to this child."
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