Live Streams are widely used by content creators to interact with their fans and to creative interactive content. However, this creator’s live stream video saved a cyclist from being mugged and assaulted.
YouTuber Sherwin was out in London at night doing a live stream video when he heard a cyclist – who was being punched and mugged by an unidentified assailant. Sherwin immediately ran towards the scene, shouting ‘Leave him alone!’.
Upon arrival – the cyclist pleaded to the YouTuber to call the police. The attacker fled the scene momentarily – but returned to steal the bicycle. However, the attacker’s attempt was in vain: Sherwin chased him off and immediately called the police. The cyclist eventually revealed that the attacker was armed with a knife and that the altercation could have resulted in an ‘attempted murder’ if Sherwin had not shown up to help him.
Sherwin’s live stream video not only saved the victim’s life but also provided evidence – such as stills of the attacker’s face – to the police. Moreover, Sherwin’s fans also started their own search party – with many sharing screnshots of the attacker’s face to Twitter in order to speed up the identification process.
A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police revealed that the call to the police was made on 12:49 AM on April 10:
“Officers attended and it was reported that a 21-year-old man had been assaulted by a man who attempted to steal his bike. The victim was treated by London Ambulance Service at the scene. Officers carried out a thorough search of the area, however no suspect was located. There have been no arrests”.
Sherwin’s live stream immediately went viral – with many applauding him for his bravery in helping the cyclist. Sherwin thanked his fans for their support via Twitter:
The admiration, love, appreciation is too cool
Thank you for all the kind messages and comments
I'm not used to thisI know what it's like to be attacked for no good reason.
I'm super glad I instinctively reacted fast. I'm happy I saved someone who was in serious danger— (@Sherwindo7) April 10, 2021
Sherwin recalled the horrific incident and hoped that viewers would be inspired to help each other:
“The moment was surreal. As I was rushing over, adrenaline mixed in with my anxiety was in me, and I felt like a soldier, a defender. What spurred me to help the defenseless man? I’m not sure. My mind and thoughts were blank. I just wanted, and tried, to stop the attack. I truly really hope, if anything, I’ve maybe inspired people to not be afraid to try and step in, and to stop a bad-looking scenario from not turning bad to fatally worse”.