Vitry: Issam, drowned while bringing help, decorated for his act of "courage and devotion"

“For us, he was already a hero,” says Maud.

It is now in the eyes of the Republic.

Issam Benayad, this inhabitant of Vitry who drowned in May while trying to rescue a person off a beach in Cap d'Agde was decorated Thursday evening by the Minister for Citizenship Marlène Schiappa.

"He is, forever, the pride of the French Republic," said the latter in the living room of the ministry where this ceremony was held.

Before presenting him posthumously and Maud with the medal for an act of courage and dedication.

On May 21, the couple entered the water in a single block to rescue off a man described as elderly who was in serious difficulty.

Vitry's family, Maud, Issam and their two children, spent a few days off there.

The incident happened while they were walking on this beach.

Issam, 39, inhabitant of Vitry, drowned on May 21 while trying to rescue a man in Cap d'Agde.

The elderly man had finally managed to regain it by his own means but not Issam, who found himself in turn in distress, victim of a "sea strike", a phenomenon similar to the baïnes in the Atlantic.

"In wanting to help, he got exhausted", then related a lieutenant-colonel of Sdis 34. Despite the first aid gestures, he could not be resuscitated.

A "very real" hero

“He's a hero.

A hero as seen in movies and cartoons.

Except he was real.

It is a source of pride for you, ”Marlène Schiappa addressed to those close to Isssam.

The death of this 39-year-old father had caused a lot of emotion.

More than 14,000 euros were collected for the kitty intended for his family launched by one of his friends from the ultra-marine sports association of Vitry where he played football.

They were present Thursday evening, as well as about forty people that Maud was able to invite.

“Issam's family came from Lyon and Saint-Etienne, mine from Nantes, our friends and colleagues were present as well as neighbors from Vitry,” says Maud, who recalls a “very important” moment in the eyes of their children.

“It was touching and sincere.

We were given a medal, it's something physical.

It is an extra dose of courage to move forward, ”explains this mother who has returned to work and says she is“ very surrounded ”.