Fatima Haniya, a Class VII student of Al Hidayath English Medium School, Thurakkal, was enjoying a cheerful bus ride home with her friends on Saturday evening (August 23).But her carefree bus journey took a frightening turn when her left hand’s ring finger accidentally got wedged in a small hole of the window guard. As she stood up to get off at Kodangadu near Kondotty, Haniya found that her hand was stuck.As the bus workers’ rescue attempts failed, Haniya’s anguished cries filled the bus. With no other option, the bus was swiftly diverted to the Fire and Rescue station at Malappuram in hopes of finding a solution to Haniya’s predicament.A Fire and Rescue Services officer examining the finger of Fatima Haniya. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAINLed by Fire Officer E.K. Abdul Saleem, the rescue team at the Malappuram Fire and Rescue station worked with precision and speed. Armed with a metal sheet grinder, they carefully cut through the metal window guard to free Haniya’s trapped finger. They removed the bus seat to avoid any injury to the girl.For about an hour, Haniya’s parents, teachers and school principal stood steadfastly by her side, offering comfort and reassurance as the firemen worked carefully to free her trapped finger.The long-awaited moment of relief finally arrived when Haniya’s finger was gently freed, emerging intact and unscathed from the metal trap.Tears of joy streamed down her face, replacing the earlier cries of pain, as Haniya was finally reunited with her overjoyed family.Published - August 23, 2025 09:24 pm IST