A hug after the crash: the story behind the image that moved the country A traffic accident that could have ended in discussion had an unexpected outcome and moved thousands of people on social media. After rear-ending another vehicle, a driver was greeted with a hug by the driver of the struck car, instead of complaints or aggression. The episode took place on June 23, in Camboriú, on the coast of Santa Catarina, and was recorded by security cameras. To Fantástico, businessman Paulo Amaral, 37, said that he noticed that the other driver was emotionally shaken as soon as they both got out of the cars. "When I left, I came close to him and greeted him. I saw that he was not well", he recalled. The driver of the other vehicle was Eduardo Santos, 34 years old, a tax inspector at Camboriú City Hall and a pastor. According to him, the accident happened at a difficult time in his life. "I lost my father some time ago and, in those days, I was still experiencing great sadness. Furthermore, I had everyday problems, financial difficulties and some arguments at home", he said. Upon hearing the outburst, Paulo decided to act in an unusual way. "I said: 'My brother, do you want a hug?'. While he didn't let go, I didn't let go either," he said. From the images, the hug lasts about 32 seconds, but the story doesn't end there. After parking the cars, the two continued talking on the sidewalk. Paulo said he felt like making another welcoming gesture. "I asked him if he wanted me to pray for him. I said a prayer for his life and everything he was going through." The damage caused by the crash was covered by the vehicle insurance. For the two drivers, however, the episode ended up being much bigger than a simple accident. The images went viral on social media precisely because they showed an opposite reaction to the scenes of traffic violence that have become frequent in the country. The video was recorded by surveillance cameras and initially shared by city residents. Days later, the two drivers met again and they say that the episode started a friendship. "A great friendship was born", they summarized. Hug caught on security camera in Camboriú, in Santa Catarina. GloboPop Reproduction: click to see the videos from the Fantástico stage Listen to the Fantástico podcasts ISSO É FANTÁSTICO The Isso É Fantástico podcast is available on g1 and the main podcast apps, bringing great reports, investigations and fascinating stories on podcast with the Fantástico journalism seal: depth, context and information. Follow, like or subscribe to Isso É Fantástico on your favorite podcast player. Every Sunday there's a new episode.