Social media users have heaped praise on a Saudi for saving lives and property after he pushed away a car on fire next to the pumps at a petrol station.
Witnesses said that up to 50 people were saved in the heroic action on Monday evening at the station located north of the capital Riyadh, Saudi news site Sabq reported.
“ I was coming out of the mosque following the Maghrib (Sunset) prayers when I saw a large crowd trying to deal with a car on fire next to the petrol pump,” Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Rajban, in his 20s, said.
“It was a dramatic scene with many civilians next to the car and others at the nearby ATM machine. I felt a strong urge to make the scene safe for everyone and I did not hold myself back. I got in my car, drove it to the burning vehicle and pushed it away from the pump to avoid the tragedy waiting to happen.”
Sultan then reversed his car away from fire, but had to drive until the end of the street to put out the fire that caught the front tyres.
“Thank God, everything was fine. My car was slightly damaged, but that is not an issue as my duty towards my country and the innocent people at or near the petrol station. When I returned to the station, I found the civil and police forces dealing with the situation. They asked for my testimony and for further details.”
Media users said that Sultan should be honoured for his prompt and thoughtful action.
“It is thanks to people like who push the limits of courage and sacrifice that we can move forward proudly of what we can do for our nation,” Fahad posted.
'Motivator' said that people should avoid lapsing into useless arguments whether what Sultan did was courage in face of imminent danger or reckless behaviour.
“He deserves to be honoured for saving lives and property. The least that the owner of the gas station should do is to pay for fixing his car and to give him free petrol for one year.”
Another user, under the moniker of Drama, said that everyone should keep Sultan in their thoughts and prayers.
“This was not an action movie people watch in the comfort of their homes or in theatres. It was real life drama, and Sultan deserves to be rewarded generously. I pray that nobody should find himself in such a situation with a car ablaze next to a petrol pump and crowds nearby, but without a hero like Sultan around. We should all be thankful and pray for him.”
