The bodies of two Saudi students who drowned last week while attempting to save two American children in Massachusetts arrived in Najran on Sunday.
Theeb Alyami, 27, and Jaser Daham Alrakah, 25, drowned on June 29 when two small children were struggling to stay afloat in the Chicopee River in Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
They are being hailed as heroes for their act and are being fondly remembered by relatives and friends alike.
Condolences poured in from all across Saudi Arabia and the United States, including from the US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, who issued a statement expressing heartfelt condolences.
The heroism of #Saudi students Theeb al-Yami and Jaser al-Rakah, who tragically drowned while courageously trying to rescue children in distress, represents the very best of the int'l students who enrich communities across the United States. We express our heartfelt condolences. pic.twitter.com/dtvtazYJTR
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) July 5, 2018
“The young men drowned while courageously attempting to save children in distress. Their heroism represents the very best of the international students who enrich communities across the United States. Theeb and Jaser were among the 52,000 Saudi students studying in the United States who bring greater international understanding and diverse perspectives to US campuses and communities, and to Saudi Arabia when they return home,” the statement read.
RELATED: Details emerge about rescue of two American kids by drowned Saudi students
Saudi Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Mased, Governor of Najran, received the two bodies at Najran Airport along with other senior- ranking government officials from the province.
The parents of the deceased boys thanked Najrans governor and his deputy for the condolences and support extended to them.
Alyami was studying at Hartford University and was in his fourth year in civil engineering, while Alrakah was studying civil engineering at Western University of New England.
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Last Update: Sunday, 8 July 2018 KSA 18:20 – GMT 15:20
