Muscat: An Omani national has become an overnight hero in the country after saving two toddlers from a burning car in the province of Sur.
The toddler siblings of Jordanian nationality, were left unattended by their father as he went to buy some items from a nearby grocery store.
When the vehicle caught fire (for unknown reasons), the children began to scream for help.
Within seconds, Mohammad Al Hashmi, an Omani national, opened the door, reached into the flames and pulled the children out of the car.
They sustained critical burns and are currently being treated in Sur hospital.
Speaking to Gulf News, Al Hashmi said he was inside his car when the incident took place.
“I was about to leave but I stopped when I saw the car on fire and heard the childrens’ screams,” he said.
“I quickly decided to risk my life to save them. I could barely see anything inside the car due to the flames,” he said.
“The father was frozen and traumatised. He asked for help,” said Al Hashmi, who sustained light burns during the rescue.
He also drove the kids with the father to the hospital.
Omanis launched an online campaign to donate money to help the affected family. They also launched a hashtag in Twitter entitled “Thank you Al Hashmi”, with hundreds of tweets praising his heroic act.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Sulaiman, the father of the children, expressed deep regret for leaving his children unattended.
“I will not leave my children again inside the car while refueling,”, the 33-year-old father told Gulf News, on Sunday.
The two siblings, four-year-old Ghazl and three-year-old Sulaiman are still in critical health condition as they sustained severe burns and suffered from smoke inhalation.
“I have been crying day and night for what I did. It was my mistake. I will not forgive myself if they die,” sobbed Mohamad while he talking over the phone from Sur province.
His wife was too traumatised to speak to Gulf News. “She has not stopped crying,” Sulaiman said.
He said he can never thank Al Hashmi enough for rescuing his children.
“I hugged him for two minutes and I kissed him on his head,” he said.
Sulaiman says he hopes his story will be a warning to other parents to not do the same mistake as he did and be more careful in petrol stations.
“This is the most painful feeling ever I have felt the whole of my life. Please look after your children as they are precious gift from god,” he said.
