Coast Guard swimmer hailed as a hero after rescuing 165 people in Texas.

247 - U.S. Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan is being widely hailed as a hero after a stunning rescue of 165 people, many of them children, from a summer camp in Texas. The mission, which took place last weekend, was marked by extreme weather conditions and logistical difficulties, but Ruskan remained undeterred and successfully completed the mission. (Source: [Source Name]) CNN Brazil.

The rescuer, who led the search and rescue mission alongside other Coast Guard members, sent a special message to the children he helped save: “Truly, you were incredible. I’m so sorry for what happened to you, but you were extremely brave and strong. This made me a better rescuer because your courage inspired me.”

Ruskan's rescue was his first official mission as a rescue swimmer. The operation began on Friday (4) and extended until Sunday, when then US President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration, releasing additional resources for the state. The mission was triggered due to catastrophic floods that hit the region and affected several areas, including Camp Mystic, where more than 200 children were isolated.

Extreme flight conditions

What should have been a simple one-hour flight to the landing site near the camp turned into a high-risk operation, with the mission lasting between seven and eight hours due to severe weather conditions. "Those were some of the worst flying conditions we've ever faced," Ruskan told the program. Good Morning America, from ABC News.

After several failed landing attempts, Ruskan managed to land alone at the camp, as his team was redirected to other locations to carry out other rescues. "There were about 200 children there and they needed to be rescued by helicopter. There was no other way to get them out of there — the bridges and roads were destroyed, and the water was rising too fast for a boat rescue," Ruskan explained in an interview with CNN reporter Boris Sanchez.

Ruskan still faced communication difficulties during the mission. The cell phone signal was weak and radio reception was also compromised, which left him virtually incommunicado for about three hours. Despite this, he remained calm and led the rescue operations with precision.

Heroic rescue of the children

With the help of military helicopters, Ruskan led groups of 10 to 15 children, guiding them to the aircraft, which transported them to safer areas in higher regions. "These children were heroic. They were facing one of the most difficult moments of their lives, but they remained strong. This inspired me to continue helping," said Ruskan, visibly moved by the children's attitude.

Despite it being his first mission, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer demonstrated great preparedness. “I trusted the training I received. Coast Guard rescue swimmers undergo some of the most rigorous training in the world. Any other swimmer on our team would have done the same—or even better,” he humbly stated.

Ruskan's actions were widely praised by various authorities. The US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, spared no words of recognition, calling him an "American hero" in a social media post. However, Ruskan himself maintains his humble demeanor. "I'm just an ordinary guy. I chose to enlist in the Coast Guard. Anyone can do this job. If you raise your hand and commit, you can help. I'm just happy to have had the chance to help these people," he concluded.