Since the initial reports about the tragic accident, details have emerged that reveal that Hilman actually died while saving his 4-year-old sister, Rani, from the collapsing house.
According to the Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the incident occurred at around 5:30 pm on Monday, during which time strong winds and heavy rain were hitting parts of Jakarta.
Hilman’s house was located near a slope. The extreme weather caused a landslide that toppled the concrete retaining wall protecting the house, causing it to collapse while the family was inside.
https://youtu.be/lWnbmTOrwug
The details of what happened next were told to Jagakarsa District Secretary Mundari by Hilman’s father, Budi.
According to Mundari, 12-year-old Hilman managed to escape from the house when the building’s roof collapsed.
But then he looked back and saw this his little sister, Rani, was trapped near the wreckage.
So he went back to free her. And thanks to his help, Rani managed to survive. But Hilman was hit by falling debris.
“[Hilman died] because he was helping his sister, wanting to save his sister,” Mundari told Kompas.com yesterday.
A local resident who witnessed the disaster, Diman, said he saw Budi emerge from the wreckage of his house carrying his son’s body, which was covered in blood, while Budi’s wife Eni carried Rani.
Budi immediately brought Hilman to the hospital using a pickup borrowed from a builder who was doing work near his house. But, by the time he arrived at the hospital, Hilman had already succumbed to his injuries.
There is no way we can imagine or understand the pain of losing a child like that. But, hopefully, his parents can take some comfort in knowing that their son died a hero.
