Delivery driver hero rescues baby

Daniyal Saeed, aged 21, was only at the start of his second week into his new job for premium express delivery company City Link when the drama unfolded during his daily rounds.

Daniyal called at an address in Francis Road, Leyton, where he had been sent to collect some parcels for delivery from customer Queenie Chen.

Queenie handed him the first parcel and told him she had one more to fetch from her upstairs flat. But as she handed him the second parcel the door closed behind her and her son Kyle Li, aged one, was left alone upstairs.

When he called the fire brigade Daniyal was told an engine would be on the scene within 10 to 15 minutes.

Realising it was too long to wait, and spotting an open bathroom window, Daniyal somehow managed to scale a wall and drainpipe at the front of the house before squeezing through the window and rescuing the toddler.

Daniyal said: “It was quite traumatic as poor Queenie was in really upset. She was so worried about her child as she had no keys and no way to get back in to the house.

“She was calling on the neighbours’ doors and they all came out to see what was going on.

“As she grew more distressed I didn’t really think about it. I’m not sure how I did it but I somehow managed to climb the wall and the pipe and shimmy through a small window.

“It was so small I had to land on the floor on my head, but at the end of the day all that mattered was that Kyle was safe. He was upset because he couldn’t see his mum, but they were both soon really happy again when I handed him back to her.”

Daniyal added: “I had a real hero’s welcome when I walked out of the front door with Kyle. It was lovely. I just did what anyone would do but it was great to see him returned to his mum safe and sound.”

Queenie added: “I was extremely panicky and so caught up in the moment I really didn’t know what to do.

“The whole incident probably lasted less than five minutes but to me it felt more like five years. Kyle had just about started to walk so all sorts of things were running through my mind about what he could get up to in the time I was locked out.

“I can never thank Daniyal or City Link enough. He is a real credit to the company and I will forever be grateful for what he did that day.”

Daniel O’Neill, Depot Manager at City Link, praised Daniyal for his quick-thinking at the scene.

He said: “Our drivers are our ambassadors here at City Link and although he’s only been here a very short time Daniyal has already made a real impact.

“He didn’t even really tell any of us what had happened at the time so it came as a bit of a surprise when we received the call from Queenie to express her thanks.”

“In a very short space of time Daniel’s attitude and work ethic has proven fantastic. He is already proving a real asset to the company and we are delighted to have him on board.”

Scott Maynard, HR Director at City Link added: “We are immensely proud of Daniyal. He really embodies the values we share here at City Link – going the extra mile for our customers.”