An Arkansas State University student took action to assist an injured tourist during a seminar in Washington, D.C.

Bobby Perry, a senior political science major from Little Rock, helped a tourist who had fallen into the World War II Memorial pool during The Washington Center’s national security seminar in Washington, D.C.

The incident occurred on Saturday, May 17, during a nighttime monument tour, when students noticed a woman flailing in the shallow water. Although he did not witness the fall, Perry said he reacted swiftly.

“The moment I saw her in the water, I ran over because I wasn’t sure if she could drown, sustain a concussion, or have any other significant injury,” Perry said.

Ayah Ibrahim, a student from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, who was also nearby, responded at the same time. 

“To me, it was second nature. I saw someone who needed help, and my body acted on its own,” Ibrahim said.

Perry said he entered the water to help the woman, who was breathing but appeared shaken. After lifting her from the water, he said he helped her regain her footing and supported her to the edge while other students gathered nearby. 

Once out of the water, they began checking for injuries.

“When he pulled her out, we asked if she was okay,” Ibrahim said. “She was smiling and said she was fine, but I know that adrenaline can mask injuries, so I asked again, and that’s when we noticed a cut on her finger. It was a bit deep.”

Working together, the students cleaned the wound using bottled water and hand sanitizer and applied tissues to slow the bleeding. Perry said he continued to assess her condition, asking basic questions to screen for a possible concussion and examining her head for any signs of trauma.

“The whole time, Bobby was lending her support as she leaned on him,” Ibrahim said. “She said she had hit her head, but it didn’t hurt, and she declined an offer to go to the hospital.”

After confirming she was stable, the students escorted the woman back to her group.

“Her group didn’t seem very concerned, which was upsetting,” Ibrahim added, “but she stayed incredibly kind and smiled the whole time.”

Perry said helping the tourist was a concerted effort. 

“I’m not a hero, but I feel that my classmates are,” Perry said. “Ayah Ibrahim, Darrah Blackshare, and Allison Clarke were the cornerstones to her care. They helped gather the supplies and provided emotional support that made a real difference.”

Perry said the incident gave him a moment to reflect on the kind of leadership and service he hopes to embody.

“I’ve always dreamed of being an ambassador to Luxembourg,” Perry said. “This experience, especially speaking with people from the EU and the Council on Foreign Relations, made me realize that dream isn’t out of reach. It just takes hard work.”

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