The parable of the Good Samaritan tells of a traveler left for dead, ignored by those who could help, until a humble Samaritan stepped in, risking his own safety to rescue a stranger. Jesus urged his listeners, “Go and do likewise.” This isn’t a sermon—it’s a showcase of ten real‑life heroes who answered that call, embodying the spirit of the Good Samaritan in today’s world.
Top 10 Real Heroes
1 The Giant Who Became a Dolphin Doctor
Standing a staggering 7 feet 8.95 inches tall, Bao Xishuan holds the Guinness record for the world’s tallest man, with an arm span that stretches over a meter. In 2006, Chinese veterinarians urgently requested his extraordinary reach to aid a marine‑life emergency at the Funshun Aquarium.
The aquarium’s dolphins had swallowed painful plastic shards that doctors couldn’t extract, endangering their lives. Bao hurried to the facility, and, under careful supervision, slipped his massive hands into the animals’ mouths. He painstakingly reached into their stomachs, pulling out as many fragments as possible. The remaining pieces passed harmlessly through the dolphins’ digestive systems, and the creatures made a full recovery. After a brief pat on his back, Bao returned to his fields, his heroic act barely making a ripple in the news.
2 The Grape Picker Who Chased a Kidnapper
While tending grapes during a stormy afternoon, 29‑year‑old Victor Perez heard a radio alert about a child abduction. Spotting a truck that matched the suspect’s description, he leapt into his own vehicle and gave chase, even though the girl was still unseen.
When he finally caught sight of the child, Victor shouted at the driver, “That’s not your little girl!” repeatedly, forcing the kidnapper to abandon the girl onto the street and flee. Victor stayed with the terrified child until police arrived, reuniting her with her mother. The perpetrator, Gregorio Gonzalez, was later arrested on kidnapping, false imprisonment, and sexual assault charges.
3 Subway Defender of Holiday Harmony
Riding the Q train into Brooklyn on a Friday night, Muslim student Hassan Askari witnessed ten thugs harassing a young couple for wishing “Happy Chanukah” after being greeted with “Merry Christmas.” Concerned for the woman’s safety, Hassan shoved one attacker away, only to be swarmed by the gang.His brave interference gave the couple enough time to pull the emergency brake and summon help. Though he suffered two black eyes and a bruised nose, Hassan couldn’t afford medical care and never sought treatment. The victim, Walter Adler, was moved by the cross‑cultural solidarity, noting that a “random Muslim kid helped some Jewish kids— that’s what’s positive about New York.”
4 The French Engineer Who Saved a Baby from the East River
On April 7 2010, Julien Duret was strolling the South Street Seaport with his girlfriend when he saw something plunge into the icy East River. Initially thinking it was a doll, he realized it was an infant. Without hesitation, Julien stripped off his clothes and dove into the frigid water.
He reached the baby first, handed the limp child to the frantic father, and together they lifted the youngster to safety. The baby, Bridget Anderson, regained consciousness shortly after. Spectators, moved by his selfless act, handed Julien dry clothing. Though he modestly claimed he was “glad to help,” New Yorkers soon dubbed him the “Mystery Frenchman.” After being coaxed into an interview, he admitted it was his first rescue of this magnitude.
5 Father Who Fought a Cougar to Save His Son
While camping near Clinton, British Columbia, Marc Patterson’s 12‑year‑old son, Colton Reeb, was attacked by a wild cougar. A blood‑curdling scream alerted the family, and Marc rushed to the scene, finding his son curled into a ball with the predator’s jaws around his head.
Marc attempted to kick the cougar five times to no avail, then forced his knees onto its back and began choking it. After a tense five seconds, the cougar released its grip. Marc scooped his son, backed toward their truck while the cougar snarled, and they escaped. Colton received surgery for facial and torso injuries. Conservation officers later killed the cougar just 15 meters from the attack site, concluding it had mistaken the boy for prey.
6 Subway Hero Who Saved a Man From a Train
In 2007, construction worker Wesley Autrey was taking his daughters to school when a fellow commuter, Cameron Hollopeter, suffered a seizure and fell onto the tracks. With a train barreling toward them, Autrey dove onto the man, shielding him beneath his own body as the train thundered overhead, passing inches from their heads.
After the train cleared, Autrey calmly told the onlookers, “Tell the girls their dad is okay.” He declined medical attention, took his children to school, and noted only that his hat was now greasy. His quick thinking saved a life and earned him the nickname “Subway Superman.”
7 Fire‑Escape Rescuer Who Saved a Toddler
Horia Cretan heard a scream from a nearby building and saw smoke billowing from a window. Instinctively, he grabbed the fire‑escape ladder, descended, and found a man frozen in shock. After pulling the man to safety, Horia discovered another victim—a 4‑year‑old boy—still trapped inside.
Braving the flames, Horia entered the burning apartment, retrieved the child, wrapped him in curtains, and carried him down the ladder. He performed CPR en route, and the boy survived without lasting injuries. Horia later recounted the ordeal on “Good Morning America,” where he also proposed to his girlfriend, who accepted.
8 Cleric Who Stood Up to a Rioting Mob
While watching news of the Los Angeles race riots, Reverend Bennie Newton learned a truck driver, Reginald Denny, was being assaulted on a nearby street. He rushed to the scene, only to find Denny already gone, but another innocent, construction worker Fidel Lopez, was being brutally attacked.
The mob stripped Lopez, beat him, attempted to cut off his ear, and spray‑painted his torso black. Reverend Newton threw himself over Lopez, brandishing his Bible and shouting, “Kill him and you have to kill me, too!” The crowd, shamed, dispersed. Newton drove the wounded man to the hospital himself, ensuring he received care.
9 Ice‑Cold Hero of Air Florida Flight 90
On January 13 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the frozen Potomac River. Amid the chaos, many passengers were trapped beneath the icy water. Rescue helicopters lowered ropes, but the survivors were too weak to grasp them.
Martin “Lennie” Scutnik, a low‑level manager at the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, dove into the frigid river, helping a drowning woman reach shore. His bravery earned him an invitation from President Ronald Reagan to attend the State of the Union address, where he received a standing ovation. Today, “Scutnik” is a term used by the Washington press to honor everyday heroes.
10 Unsung Defender Who Paid With His Life
On April 18 2010, Guatemalan immigrant Hugo Alfredo Tale‑Yax intervened to protect a woman being threatened with a knife on a Jamaica, Queens street. He grappled with the assailant, sustaining a fatal stab wound himself.
After the attacker fled, Hugo lay bleeding on the sidewalk while dozens of onlookers, including a man who filmed the scene, walked past without offering aid. A lone passerby shook his body before departing. Firefighters arrived fifteen minutes later, but it was too late to save Hugo. Police continue to seek the suspect, urging tips via the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline.
These ten remarkable individuals remind us that ordinary people can perform extraordinary deeds. Their stories echo the timeless call to “go and do likewise.”