Poppy Bilderbeck
A GoFundMe page has reached over half-a-million dollars for a pizza delivery driver who saved five people from a burning building.
On Monday 11 July, Nick Bostic was driving around in the city of Lafayette, Louisiana on his way to a gas station when he saw a home on fire.
The 25-year-old immediately stopped to help, running straight into the burning building to lead an 18-year-old, two 13-year-olds, and one child aged one to safety. He later ran back inside to rescue the final child, aged six, jumping two storeys to get her out.
However, in throwing himself into the flames to save the five individuals, the Indiana driver sustained several injuries himself.
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A GoFundMe page has since been set up by his cousin to help pay for his recovery.
At the time of writing, the fundraising appeal has reached $510,400 (£427,800) of its $100,000 (£83,800) goal.
The page states: "Hi, my name is Richard and I am looking for donations for my cousin, Nick Bostic. He ran into a house fire and saved four children.
"This kid is the real deal. Sadly he has some serious injuries and will need help during his recovery. There is also a Facebook fundraiser for him too, but I am hoping to reach a larger audience (If you can or want to donate here, please do).
"Thank you for your support!"
There have been over 15,000 donations made to the GoFundMe so far, with many donors having left a comment on the page in support of the pizza delivery driver too.
One wrote: "Your story touched me. Not everyone would run inside! Right place at the right time. You’re a true HERO!! God bless you. Speedy recovery!"
"You are a true hero. Praying for your speedy recovery," another wrote.
A third commented: "Incredible selfless act of bravery. As a parent I know that there aren’t sufficient words to describe the gratitude of those parents tonight. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery."
A Facebook fundraiser has raised £33,425 ($39,896) of its £50,331 ($60,075) goal.
The page reads: "Our Hero Nick has been hospitalised after seeing a house on fire, he went in and saved all of them, including a baby. He is now in a Indy hospital due to being hurt in the process.
"We are asking for donations for his hospital bills. Please find it in your heart to donate to Nick. Our Hero."
Lieutenant Randy Sherer from the Lafayette Police Department called Nick's 'selflessness during [the] incident [...] inspiring'.
Sherer told Washington Post: "What he doesn’t understand is his actions weren’t ordinary, they were extraordinary.
"He went down those stairs to save that little girl when he thought it was impossible just moments before. He knew he was risking his life. There’s only one way to define that: courageous and heroic."
Father of the four children and one teenager, David Barrett, echoed: "We feel very blessed for what Nick did. He’s a real hero, and my daughter’s a real hero for waking the kids up. I don’t like to think about what might have happened if Nick hadn’t shown up. I’m grateful beyond words."
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