Colombia plane crash: Johan Ramirez who helped ‘pull Chapecoense star from flaming wreckage’ has new home built for family as reward
'Angel Boy', 15, and his father have been given a majorly upgraded house for his heroic work in helping save lives
A YOUNG boy who helped save six lives in the Chapecoense tragedy has been rewarded with a new home.
Johan Ramirez, nicknamed ‘Angel Boy’, directed firefighters to the scene of the crash which killed 71 people, where they could then pull survivors from the flaming wreckage.
The 15-year-old, who lived with his father in a run-down shack, was on Sunday presented with a brand new house in an emotional ceremony.
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Painted in Chapecoense’s green colours, the new pad is more than twice the size of his old place, surrounded by acres of land and reportedly fully furnished inside.
Several volunteers from the community banded together to make it happen following the admirable way in which Johan helped rescue survivors on board the Chapecoense plane when it crashed.
Johan was also decorated by the Brazilian government with the Order of Caballero and is set to fly to Madrid to watch Real play Espanyol on Saturday as a reward.
He will be accompanied by the Mayor of Medellin, Federico Gutierrez, who said: “This gesture serves to show that whoever does good things also has a reward.
“Johan has become a symbol of leadership, good and positive. He did not help with the rescue looking to be a hero, but looking for how to save the life to the survivors.”
Out of 77 people on board the doomed Chapecoense flight, just six survived.
The Brazilian club were all but wiped out, with just three players saved.
But Chapecoense have rebuilt and won their first game since the disaster in January, beating Inter de Lages 2-1 in front of emotional fans at their home stadium, the Arena Conda.