Today 31 years ago three men gave their lives to stop a second thermonuclear blast in Chernobyl, most probably saving thousands of lives across Europe.
Valeri Bezpalov, Boris Baranov and Alexie Ananenko knowing it ment their deaths dived into radioactive water with subpar gear. All died within days afterwards - their bodies so radioactive they had to be buried in lead lined and sealed coffins

http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/04/13/when-three-divers-swam-into-the-jaws-of-chernobyl/