Cervia (Ravenna), August 13, 2026 – An afternoon at the sea that risked turning into a tragedy ended with an extraordinary act of altruism and civic sense. On July 8, three young friends saved the life of a 78-year-old tourist in difficulty in the waters in front of the free beach of Cervia, intervening promptly and with impeccable coordination. For this reason, Mayor Mirko Boschetti and the Public Property Councillor Samuele De Luca wanted to receive Nicole Brandinelli, Sophy Cerotti, and Denis Oppido at the Town Hall to present them with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the entire Cervia community.
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The heroic act of Nicole, Sophy, and Denis
The three young people were returning to shore after a paddleboarding outing when, a few dozen meters from the shore, they noticed the woman, originally from Bologna and on vacation in the Romagna area, floating face down in a semi-conscious state. The reaction was immediate and well coordinated: while Nicole and Sophy loaded the 78-year-old onto their board and brought her safely to shore, Denis ran to the beach to alert the lifeguard of the nearest tower. The alarm immediately set the rescue operation in motion, involving two other lifeguards, personnel from the Harbor Master’s Office – Coast Guard, and the prompt intervention of 118 medical staff who arrived by air ambulance. After initial resuscitation maneuvers on site, the woman was stabilized and transferred to the Ravenna hospital for further treatment.
Main characters: 2 cousins and a talented pianist
During the official ceremony, city institutions emphasized the profound symbolic value of the action carried out by the three young people. Of the rescue protagonists, fifteen-year-old Denis Oppido is the only Cervia resident: a student at the “V. Monti” Classical High School in Cesena, Denis is also a talented pianist, a pupil of maestro Antonio D’Abramo and already winner of several international competitions such as the Elsa Pozzoli prize. The other two young women are cousins and live in Meldola (Forlì), although they have been frequenting Cervia since childhood with their families: Sophy Cerotti, 22 years old, recently graduated in Educational Sciences for Childhood Services at the University of Bologna, and Nicole Brandinelli, 16, a student at the “Fulcieri Paulucci di Calboli” Scientific High School in Forlì with a focus on Applied Sciences, engaged in scouting and volleyball.
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The mayor’s praise: “Your behavior honors the mayor”
“Thanks to your timely intervention, the courage and quick reflexes you demonstrated – declared the mayor and the councillor – you managed to help a person in a moment of great difficulty, contributing to saving her life. Your behavior honors the city of Cervia and represents a precious example of altruism and civic responsibility, capable of strengthening trust in the younger generations and in the values of solidarity, care for others, and community spirit.”
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