KARNAL: A Haryana Roadways bus driver and a conductor played a key role in rescuing badly injured Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who was stuck in a damaged SUV after an accident on the Delhi-Roorkee Highway on early Friday morning.
Driver Sushil Mann and conductor Paramjit Singh, posted in Panipat Depot, were returning from Haridwar as per routine when they saw the damaged vehicle and stopped the bus quickly to rescue Rishabh Pant from the car and enquired about his wellbeing.
They were the first to inform the police and ambulance. Later, they found out that he was the Indian wicketkeeper.
Talking to TOI, Sushil said, "We were returning from Haridwar to Panipat with around 30 passengers in the bus. I saw the damaged vehicle and immediately stopped the bus. I noticed a man stuck in the car. We pushed him out of the SUV."
"After rescuing him, we immediately informed the police and called the ambulance. Until the ambulance reached us, we covered him with a shawl to keep him warm," Sushil added.
"I didn't know that he was cricketer Rishabh Pant as I don't watch cricket. We did our duty as a human being," Sushil said.
Charred remains of Pant's car after the crash (PTI) Paramjit said they searched the car to check if anyone else was there and found a bag containing cash of around Rs 8,000 and handed it over to Rishabh Pant in the ambulance.
Later, Panipat Depot general manager Kuldeep Jhangra honoured both of them.
Jhangra said, "Sushil and Paramjit have done a great job by saving the life of an injured man, who was later identified as a cricketer. They have made us proud. I honoured them for this work."