A Quebec mayor is being lauded as a hero in France after he saved a train controller from being savagely attacked by a stranger last Wednesday.
Mayor of Gaspé and president of the Union of Quebec Municipalities Daniel Côté is alleged to have armbarred a violent passenger who began strangling a worker who was checking the tickets of passengers.
“I don’t know if he had taken drugs or if he had a mental health problem,” Côté told the French outlet Le Pays Malouin.
According to the outlet, Côté was the only one who came to the train worker’s defense. With training in the martial art of Judo and a background as a volunteer firefighter, Côté was able to subdue the passenger quickly.
“I had an adrenaline rush. It’s very instinctive, but I didn’t ask myself any questions,” said Côté in French.
“Because I am a mayor, I’m surprised at how big it’s gotten. My goal was not to play the hero. I prefer to talk about the files.”
The violent passenger was soon arrested by the Dol-de-Bretagne police after the altercation.
“Many people were seeing the [altercation], nobody came to help the train employee, so I did it,” Cote told CBC News.
According to him, the passenger eventually apologized.
The incident earned Côté praise at home also with Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand highlighting his bravery online.
“I would like to highlight the bravery of [Daniel Côté] for this heroic gesture!” tweeted Marchand.
“Bravo Daniel, a necessary act that represents the courage of Quebecers, even in France.”
