A Pakistani construction worker was left seriously injured after he saved several children during a crane collapse accident in Sharjah over the weekend, Gulf News reported.
According to Basheer, an Indian worker who witnessed the incident, the 26-year-old man, now identified as Farsat Khan, saved children who were playing next to the accident site before the crane fell.
Speaking to the English language daily, he said:
"It was incredible to see a man at the construction site leaping into action when he saw children playing near the site where the crane was falling down. He put himself in danger and saved the children."
"All children are safe ... no one was hurt and the crane fell on the worker. He was bleeding from the head and blood stains were seen on the ground," he added.
The horrific accident left one person dead
Police officers and emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after the accident took place. They transferred Khan to a hospital and made sure the children at the scene were taken to a safe location.
Tragically, they also found a body buried in the rubble at the accident site. After a 10-hour extraction process, the remains of a 31-year-old colleague of Khan's was identified and transferred to a morgue.
Khan continues to fight for his life after he was transferred to Al Qasimi hospital. He is currently in an intensive care unit.
The worker reportedly "sustained serious head injuries and has multiple fractures in different parts of his body, in the accident."
People are hailing Khan for saving countless lives
"Lots of prayers for the hero!"
Everyone is wishing him a speedy recovery
Authorities are now investigating the incident
According to Gulf News, Sharjah police made several arrests in the hours after the incident.
Managers of the construction company handling the site have been taken into custody. Tens of employees who witnessed the accident were also called in for questioning as police continue to investigate the matter.
Speaking to the publication, a police official said "senior managers on the project have serious questions to answer," adding that all work on the site has now been suspended.
The official also explained that no cause for the collapse has yet been confirmed by investigators.