JEDDAH: When Tariq Marghalani spotted a vehicle trapped in rushing floodwaters west of Madinah on Saturday morning, he did not stop to weigh the risks.
Instead, the Saudi adventurer and wilderness guide grabbed his climbing gear and headed toward the vehicle, where an elderly couple were stranded and unable to escape.
“I did not know how many people were inside the vehicle. My only objective was to rescue whoever was trapped,” Marghalani told Arab News.
The incident occurred after rainfall affected several parts of the Madinah region, triggering flash floods that left an elderly man and his wife trapped inside their vehicle.
Marghalani, a climber and certified hiking and cave tourism guide, had been traveling through Badr Governorate with members of the Taiba Hiking Team for a paragliding outing when they came across the scene.
The group spotted a four-wheel-drive vehicle surrounded by fast-moving floodwaters, with occupants still inside.
Drawing on his experience as a climber and wilderness medic, Marghalani used ropes, harnesses and other safety equipment to reach the stranded vehicle.
As he approached, he began assessing the situation.
Several questions ran through his mind, he said, including how many people were trapped, their ages and physical condition, and how best to evacuate them safely amid the strong current.
