Taxi driver hailed as hero, to receive state rescue medal for stopping attacker

A taxi driver in Mannheim, Germany, will be honored with the state's rescue medal for his courageous actions during a deadly car ramming attack in March 2025. Muhammad A. will receive the award on July 28 for his selflessness in stopping the perpetrator.

On March 3, 2025, the attacker drove his car into pedestrians in Mannheim's city center. Muhammad A. intervened by blocking the attacker's vehicle with his taxi, preventing a greater loss of life. "He showed the greatest courage here and prevented an even greater bloodbath with his selfless action," stated Interior Minister Manuel Hagel. "He put himself in danger to save others."

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He showed the greatest courage here and prevented an even greater bloodbath with his selfless action.

The attack resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to 14 others. The perpetrator, a 40-year-old German man, was subsequently sentenced by the Mannheim Regional Court to life imprisonment for double murder and was ordered into psychiatric confinement.

The rescue medal is awarded to individuals who save others from life-threatening situations under particularly difficult circumstances, involving personal risk. According to the Interior Ministry, the honor is bestowed approximately five times a year. The ceremony will be attended by local officials, including Mannheim's mayor.

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He put himself in danger to save others.