A team of bank employees in Arizona recently came together to assist a familiar neighborhood food vendor during a severe storm. They quickly helped him, along with his food cart, get inside as strong winds and hail battered the Phoenix area. This touching rescue was captured on video.
The event unfolded at a PNC Bank last week when the bad weather hit, prompting staff to lend a hand to a local vendor, Hilario Cruz Cruz, who was caught in the storm.
A video shared online shows an employee aiding Cruz as he tries to bring his cart inside while the storm raged on. The footage quickly gained popularity, racking up over a million views on TikTok.
Cruz, recalling the chaotic moment, said, “With one hand, I held the door against the strong wind, and with my other hand, I pulled the cart inside. The young man was doing the same on his side. If I had been anywhere else, maybe they wouldn’t have been able to help me like that.” He shared his experience in an interview through a translator.
Interestingly, Cruz noted that the bank employees had been regular customers of his for many years, which, he believes, motivated them to step in during the emergency.
He described the moment when they insisted, “He’s not going anywhere else. He stays here, and we’re bringing the cart inside.” Cruz initially doubted it would fit, but the manager reassured him, saying, “I know it will.”
After the storm, Cruz had to navigate his way home while dodging fallen trees and branches, and he ended up drenched.
Surprisingly, just a week later, he was back on the streets selling elotes and fresh fruit along Peoria Avenue.
Since the video went viral, Cruz mentioned that his business has actually been thriving. He expressed his gratitude saying, “I deeply appreciate my long-term customers. That’s why they didn’t leave me outside. I am profoundly grateful to the bank manager and employees because, thanks to them, nothing bad happened to me.”
Fox News Digital has attempted to reach out to PNC Bank for further details.
