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(WHTM) — The “Hersheypark Hero” is speaking out after saving a little boy who had wandered onto the monorail track at the Pennsylvania theme park over the weekend.
John Sampson, a veterinarian and father of three, was vacationing with his family at Hersheypark on Aug. 30 when he spotted a young boy walking high above the ground on the monorail track. Sampson gave ABC News his perspective on his viral, adrenaline-filled rescue.
“Everybody’s like, ‘Oh my god, there’s a kid up there, there’s a kid up there!’” Sampson told ABC News’ Lara Spencer.
Hersheypark officials had said the boy entered a non-operational section of the monorail through an area that was allegedly barricaded. The boy stood in the station for about 20 minutes before walking the tracks, a representative for the park said.
“A kid is walking on the monorail, and obviously panic kind of sits in a little,” Sampson remembered. “When you have that kind of dad instinct, it doesn’t matter if it’s your kid or not; it’s a child that you want to make sure they’re as safe as possible.”
Sampson ran to the roof of a concession stand and beckoned the boy over, before hopping onto the monorail track himself, viral video of the rescue shows.
“When I finally got him in my arms, honestly, there were no words,” said Sampson. “I was just mumbling, ‘I’m so happy, I got you, you’re OK, you’re OK.’”
He said he later spoke to the boy’s parents and had a “nice conversation,” and got a “nice thank-you,” he told ABC News.
Officials at Hersheypark had previously said the child became separated from his parents shortly before 5 p.m., at which point they reported him missing. He was spotted on the monorail about a half-hour later.
“We are grateful for the vigilance of our guests and the swift response of our team, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of guest safety throughout Hersheypark,” the park said of the incident.
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Hayden Sherry
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