22.05.2014.
Helicopter crews brought salvation
One who found himself this morning at the "Batajnica" airport, have certainly first sought shade, seeking refuge from persistent May sunshine. At first glance, nothing reminds you that in the same place, just a few nights ago, shelter was sought by women, children, the elderly and infirm people, who were evacuated by members of the Air Force of the Serbian Armed Forces, who were saving them from the rain and swollen rivers which carried away everything in sight. Bunch of packages with water, food and supplies that are hurriedly loaded in the cargo helicopter Mi- 8, as a precious cargo which can be delivered to the most vulnerable people only by air, testifies that the blow did not come to an end.
With almost no seats for passengers the machine slowly took off from the ground with thunder heading to Koceljeva, a place in Macva area, where the swollen Tamnava River carried bridges and flooded households. As soon as the helicopter landed, a human chain was formed in no time composed of old men and young boys, policemen and with marks of the Red Cross, who had momentarily unloaded the aid.
"Little children came to see the helicopter and to meet the pilots. They are still in shock because of all that happened, they do not know what hit them; in some houses, along with mud, the river also brought snakes. But we were still lucky", a woman from the village says, holding a toddler, who cannot take his eyes off the helicopter ready to takeoff. With his little hand in the air, he joined the others, who were waving seeing off those who brought them the aid.
Soon afterwards, the Commander returned from reconnaissance with news that the completely cut off Podgaj village, near Mali Zvornik also needs medical assistance, as well as assistance in food and medicaments, but that they could hardly find a place for the helicopter to land.No one could imagine what a destructive force a large river together with a sinking river jointly possess, and the destroyed bridges and roads, landslides and buried houses were only part of devastation which remained after the flood passed, what could have been best seen from the air by the helicopter crew.
Meadow was just spacious enough for landing and beneath there was the abyss. First there comes Doctor Maria carrying a package with medicaments running to the nearest house. Fortunately, she did not have too much work.
"Thank you for coming. We thought we were forgotten. And we have nowhere to go from here ... ", a grizzled old man extended his hand while his eyes were full of gratitude.
"Good bye army!" he shouted while protecting with his hands and body the aid unloaded on the lawn from the destructive power of air caused by the helicopter blades, along with some of his neighbours.
There remained a question – what is greater miracle, the crazy river and hardship that had befallen them or helicopter giant in the neighbour's lawn, when they thought that there is no way for the aid to reach them.
