During a special called session of the Kentucky General Assembly, lawmakers honored an eastern Kentucky man for his heroic efforts saving nine people stranded by floodwaters during historical flooding.
“A total of nine individuals did Nathan Day help save that night,” said Rep. John Blanton, who serves Knott, Magoffin and of Pike counties.
Day, a former coal miner who lives Hindman in Knott County, woke up the morning of July 28 at 3:00 and saw people surrounded in water. He lives on higher ground and could hear children crying. He also began receiving messages that children needed help getting out of a nearby house.
“You heard a lot of people screaming and begging for anyone to help. My son asked me not to go, and I told him I would go. I told him this is what separates the men from the boys, son,” Day said.
Day, who does not own a boat, climbed over a wall and waded through high water that sometimes reached over his head.
“You don’t know if you’re going to make it out of that water or not, you know, but you still have to go,” Day said.
Risking his won life, Day rescued five children and two mothers from the roof of a home in addition to two rescuing his second grade teacher and high school English teacher.
“I just kept pacing back and forth because I saw the water rising and I knew my two former teachers were probably trapped in their houses,” Day said. “It was heartbreaking.”
He then enlisted the help of three neighbors to help check on his teachers, who both live alone, Day said.
“Whether you’re willing to accept it or not, you’re a hero,” Blanton said.
“It feels good,” Day said, “to see somebody recognized, but there are so many that done it besides me.”
(Photo: Nathan Day on the steps of the State Capitol, courtesy of WYMT.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director, and WYMT.com and CNN.com
