The harrowing footage shows Mayur Shelkhe bravely save a six-year old with mere seconds to spare.
A fast-acting railway worker in India is being hailed a national hero after he bravely rescued a child from an approaching train.
CCTV footage shared on the Indian Ministry of Railways shows Mayur Shelkhe put his own life at risk as he jumped into action to save the boy who fell on the tracks.
The six year-old had been walking on the platform with his mother, who is partially sighted, on Saturday. As soon as the child fell, his mother called out for help and Shelkhe came running down the tracks to lift the child back to safety.
The harrowing footage shows Shelkhe rescuing the child with mere seconds to spare as the Udyan Express came speeding through the station.
Mr Shelkhe told the Mid-Day Newspaper that there was no chance the child would have lived if he hadn’t acted fast.
A Good Samaritan:
At Vangani station of Central Railway, Pointsman Mr. Mayur Shelkhe saved the life of a child just in the nick of the time. He risked his life to save the life of the child.
We salute his exemplary courage & utmost devotion to the duty. pic.twitter.com/V6QrxFIIY0
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 19, 2021
“I saw the kid falling and the train speeding towards him,” Shelkhe said. “There was no time to think at all. I was determined to save him.”
The Ministry of Railways described the worker as a “good Samaritan” following the rescue.
“At Vangani station of Central Railway, Pointsman Mr. Mayur Shelkhe saved the life of a child just in the nick of the time,” the Agency said. “He risked his life to save the life of the child. We salute his exemplary courage and utmost devotion to the duty.”
Shri Mayur Shelkhe the ‘real life hero’ appreciated by staff & DRM of Mumbai Division of Central Railway. 💐💐 pic.twitter.com/8fCSR6S4Vy
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 19, 2021
Shelkhe received applause from all the staff at Vangani station, which is 70km east of Mumbai.
Additionally, India’s Railway Minister Piyush Goyal claimed that Mr Shelkhe would receive an award for “motivating humanity” with his work.
Social media users heralded the railway worker a “real life hero” for his courageous rescue on Saturday afternoon.
