Saudi King Salman honours man who risked life to avert gas station inferno

By Sumesh Rajan | August 24, 2025

Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA: In a remarkable act of courage, a Saudi man who risked his life to prevent a catastrophic gas station explosion has been awarded one of the nation’s highest civilian honours.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz conferred the King Abdulaziz Medal of the First Class and a financial reward of one million riyals on Maher Fahd Al Dalbahi, a resident of Al Salihiya village, for his selfless bravery. The honour was granted following a recommendation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who described Al Dalbahi’s actions as “exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger.”

The Incident

The dramatic episode unfolded on August 15 in Al Jamsh, Al Dawadmi governorate, about 300 kilometres west of Riyadh. A truck loaded with animal fodder suddenly caught fire close to a fuel station. The driver, unable to contain the blaze, abandoned the vehicle, which came to a halt dangerously near the station’s fuel tanks.

Eyewitnesses reported panic in the area as the flames threatened to engulf the highly combustible site, raising fears of a devastating explosion.

It was then that Al Dalbahi, who had stopped at a nearby shop on his way home to Al Salihiya, sprang into action. Without hesitation, he climbed into the burning truck and steered it away from the fuel pumps, driving it into an open area at a safe distance from civilians and infrastructure.

Severe Injuries

Al Dalbahi sustained serious first and second-degree burns to his hands, legs, face, and head during the daring manoeuvre. He was rushed to King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, where he remains under specialised medical care.

His relative, Khaled Al-Arid, told Saudi Gazette that Al Dalbahi’s injuries were extensive but his condition is stable. Videos of the incident, widely circulated on social media, show the intensity of the flames as he drove the truck away, drawing praise from viewers around the world.

National Recognition

In conferring the award, King Salman underscored that Al Dalbahi’s courage embodied the values of sacrifice and responsibility that the kingdom seeks to uphold. For Al Dalbahi’s family and his village, the recognition has been described as a “profound honour” and a moment of pride.

Speaking about his actions from his hospital bed, Al Dalbahi said: “All I thought about was saving the station and the people there. I climbed onto the burning truck and drove it to a safe distance from the tanks. It was terrifying, but there was no time to think of myself.”

Public Response

The video of the rescue quickly went viral on social media platforms, with thousands of users hailing Al Dalbahi as a real-life hero. Many wrote messages of gratitude and prayers for his recovery, echoing the sentiment that “not all heroes wear capes.”

Authorities said his quick decision and fearless actions prevented a potential large-scale disaster, which could have claimed many lives and caused massive destruction.