A quick-thinking and fast-acting teenager in Istanbul has been hailed a hero after making a life-saving catch when he noticed a toddler falling out of an open apartment building window, USA Today reported.
A video capturing the incident has gone viral, prompting viewers to commend the teen's catching skills as well as his modesty in the wake of his impressive save.
Just out of frame above him, in one of the apartment buildings, he saw 2-year-old Doha Muhammed playing awfully close to an open window.
Anticipating the worst, the teenager (pictured above in the yellow shirt) crossed the street and kept a close eye on the little girl, even going so far as to position himself directly beneath the window.
Anticipating the worst, the teenager (pictured above in the yellow shirt) crossed the street and kept a close eye on the little girl, even going so far as to position himself directly beneath the window.
Captured on CCTV footage, the teen manages to brace himself just in time to catch the falling Doha who had stumbled out of the open window he had been so wary to see her playing near.
In the video, he can be seen cradling Doha and attempting to comfort her, all the while appearing visibly shaken himself by his incredible save.
Others who witnessed the event quickly rushed to help Zabaat and check to make sure the toddler was unharmed.
Watch the full video of the amazing rescue below.
Together the group checked over the little girl, all the while looking up at the window in amazement, likely in disbelief that Zabaat had been able to not only anticipate the fall beforehand enough to ready himself below, but also be able to successfully catch the girl.
He insists it was actually God who saved the toddler, not him.
"I was just walking in the road when I saw the little girl at the window," he told the Saudi Gazette. "She fell, and thanks to God, I caught her before she hit the ground."
Apparently, Doha managed to fall from the window while her mother was distracted when cooking.
To show his gratitude for the teen's heroism, Doha's father, Joseph Muhammed, gave Zabaat 200 Turkish Liras, (about $35 USD). He also received great praise from the toddler's family, who branded him a hero for saving their little girl's life.
"May God bless you," Joseph told Zabaat after the rescue.
He also received great praise from the toddler's family, who branded him a hero for saving their little girl's life.
"May God bless you," Joseph told Zabaat after the rescue.
Watch the full video of the amazing rescue below.
There is definitely something to be said about the teen's incredible decision to simply throw his arms up in the air. He saw a baby falling and didn't even take a second to think about what to do. He knew right away that he had to catch her, and that's exactly what he did.
"A true hero," one user wrote on Twitter.
Another said Zabaat deserves "free pizza for life" for that outstanding catch.
One person pointed out that the teenager was the only person shown in the video to actually take action, too. Others can be seen looking up at the window as well, but then simply looking away again. It was Zabaat who cared enough to not only monitor the precariously-positioned little girl, but also jump into action when needed.
One person pointed out that the teenager was the only person shown in the video to actually take action, too. Others can be seen looking up at the window as well, but then simply looking away again.
It was Zabaat who cared enough to not only monitor the precariously-positioned little girl, but also jump into action when needed.
At the end of the day, whether he feels he deserves all the attention he's receiving, I'm sure Zabaat is proud that he was able to save that little girl. He was in the right place at the right time, and knew he needed to stay where he was. If he had simply kept walking after noticing the girl in the window, this story would undoubtedly have been one of tragedy.
h/t: USA Today
