Mamoudou Gassama: Hero Saves Child Dangling From Paris Balcony
A young immigrant who was hailed a hero after saving the life of a young child dangling from a Paris balcony has now been offered French citizenship.
In dramatic video taken Saturday, Mamoudou Gassama, originally from Mali, is seen climbing several balconies to reach the child on the fourth floor. He grabs the boy and brings him to safety.
Footage of Gassama — who's been dubbed "Spider-Man" because of how swiftly he scaled the building — was shared to social media.
Gassama, 22, was reportedly in the neighborhood to watch a soccer match when he heard screams from outside and sprang into action, realizing the dire situation.
"I did not really think, I started climbing directly," Gassama reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron. "As I was climbing up, I felt more and more confident."
He said once he was able to grab the child, he felt scared.
"I felt afraid when I saved the child ... (when) we went into the living room, I started to shake, I could hardly stand up, I had to sit down," he told CBS News.
Gassama has been applauded for his bravery and quick thinking.
“Luckily, there was someone who was physically fit and who had the courage to go and get the child," a fire service spokesman told AFP.
Elysee Palace announced Gassama, who has been in the country for a few months, will receive French citizenship to thank him for his heroics. He also met Macron Monday.
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"His heroic gesture was an example for all citizens," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo wrote on Twitter. "The city of Paris will obviously be keen to support him in his efforts to settle in France."
He has also been offered a job by the Paris fire brigade.
The child in the video suffered minor injuries, reports said. The child’s parents were reportedly not at home at the time of the incident. The father was later held for questioning by police for having left his child unattended and was due in court later, CBS News reported.
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