Ben Madilynn
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) – Good Samaritans rescued a frightened cat trapped inside a USPS truck in Midtown Saturday evening and caught the final moments on video.
The cat was rescued Saturday around 10 p.m. near West 38th Street, where it had been trapped for two days, according to John DeBacker, who helped rescue the cat. DeBacker said the cat likely climbed into the vehicle from underneath.
“This cat was terrified to come down because of how busy the road was,” DeBacker told PIX11 News.
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Many people tried to save the kitten, but he was fast and would scurry away whenever someone got close. The rescuers even set up humane traps with food, but the cat was not allured.
DeBacker is experienced with rescues, so he traveled into the city to help out.
“I normally don’t do [New York City] rescues but made the hour drive knowing how dire the situation was,” DeBacker said.
A video shows the final moments of the rescue, as DeBacker pulls the kitten out from a nook next to the steering wheel.
“He’s got it!” the other rescuers celebrate as DeBacker holds up the kitten, grinning ear-to-ear.
DeBacker said USPS workers helped pull off the rescue and stayed until the cat was safe.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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