Indian man catches 3-year-old hanging from window in UK, says cricket skills paid off
An Indian man and a police officer rescued a three-year-old girl after she slipped from a window ledge in Ilford. The dramatic catch ended a terrifying ordeal and drew hugs, applause and the family's gratitude.
What could have ended in tragedy instead became a story of split-second bravery after an Indian man in London rushed out of his home and caught a three-year-old girl along with a policeman as she fell from a window ledge, later saying his years of playing cricket in India may have helped him make the catch.
According to a report by The Metro, the dramatic rescue unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in Ilford, where the young girl was spotted clinging to a ledge outside a flat above a pawnbroker's shop on Ilford High Road.
Horrified bystanders watched as the child hung precariously several feet above the ground, desperately trying to pull herself back to safety.
Among those who sprang into action was Mohamed Jesil, an Indian restaurant manager and father of twin five-month-old babies, who said he acted purely on instinct.
"I ran out on instinct. I'm a dad of twins aged five months, and as a dad I just reacted," Jesil told Metro.
"I wasn't scared, I just didn't think. I'm not a hero, I just did it as a dad seeing a child in trouble," he added.
Videos circulating on social media captured tense scenes as people below shouted for rescuers to hurry up. A woman could be seen leaning out from a lower window, reaching out and calling to the child, while a police officer positioned himself on a ledge beneath her but appeared unable to reach the girl.
As per The Metro's report, Jesil then joined the rescue efforts moments before the toddler's grip began to weaken. The two men moved directly beneath the girl, while another passerby arrived carrying a step ladder.
Gasps from the crowd could be heard as the child finally slipped.
Jesil managed to catch her mid-fall, with the police officer helping steady both of them as onlookers erupted into cheers and applause.
"There was massive relief when I managed to catch her; she didn't say anything, just gave me a big hug. I'm so happy I could help," Jesil told Metro.
The father-of-two also credited his sporting background for helping him stay composed in the crucial moment.
"I played cricket in India, so that may have helped with my catching. I just knew I had to concentrate," he said.
Metro reported that the little girl had been hanging from the ledge for at least nine minutes after emergency services arrived.
The child's father later described both the police officer and Jesil, who was a complete stranger to the family, as "amazing heroes" and expressed gratitude for saving his daughter.
"They were both amazing. They were heroes. We are so relieved. They saved our child," he told Metro.
"She is fine thanks to them. We are very grateful. She will be going to school again today, and we would like to say thanks to those people," he added.
While the relieved father did not explain how the girl ended up on the ledge, he remarked that his daughter was "very strong" when asked how she had managed to hold on for so long.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a police officer and a stranger who happened to be nearby, the terrifying ordeal ended with a hug, applause from the crowd and, most importantly, a safe landing for the little girl.
What could have ended in tragedy instead became a story of split-second bravery after an Indian man in London rushed out of his home and caught a three-year-old girl along with a policeman as she fell from a window ledge, later saying his years of playing cricket in India may have helped him make the catch.
According to a report by The Metro, the dramatic rescue unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in Ilford, where the young girl was spotted clinging to a ledge outside a flat above a pawnbroker's shop on Ilford High Road.
Horrified bystanders watched as the child hung precariously several feet above the ground, desperately trying to pull herself back to safety.
Among those who sprang into action was Mohamed Jesil, an Indian restaurant manager and father of twin five-month-old babies, who said he acted purely on instinct.
"I ran out on instinct. I'm a dad of twins aged five months, and as a dad I just reacted," Jesil told Metro.
"I wasn't scared, I just didn't think. I'm not a hero, I just did it as a dad seeing a child in trouble," he added.
Videos circulating on social media captured tense scenes as people below shouted for rescuers to hurry up. A woman could be seen leaning out from a lower window, reaching out and calling to the child, while a police officer positioned himself on a ledge beneath her but appeared unable to reach the girl.
As per The Metro's report, Jesil then joined the rescue efforts moments before the toddler's grip began to weaken. The two men moved directly beneath the girl, while another passerby arrived carrying a step ladder.
Gasps from the crowd could be heard as the child finally slipped.
Jesil managed to catch her mid-fall, with the police officer helping steady both of them as onlookers erupted into cheers and applause.
"There was massive relief when I managed to catch her; she didn't say anything, just gave me a big hug. I'm so happy I could help," Jesil told Metro.
The father-of-two also credited his sporting background for helping him stay composed in the crucial moment.
"I played cricket in India, so that may have helped with my catching. I just knew I had to concentrate," he said.
Metro reported that the little girl had been hanging from the ledge for at least nine minutes after emergency services arrived.
The child's father later described both the police officer and Jesil, who was a complete stranger to the family, as "amazing heroes" and expressed gratitude for saving his daughter.
"They were both amazing. They were heroes. We are so relieved. They saved our child," he told Metro.
"She is fine thanks to them. We are very grateful. She will be going to school again today, and we would like to say thanks to those people," he added.
While the relieved father did not explain how the girl ended up on the ledge, he remarked that his daughter was "very strong" when asked how she had managed to hold on for so long.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a police officer and a stranger who happened to be nearby, the terrifying ordeal ended with a hug, applause from the crowd and, most importantly, a safe landing for the little girl.
