You might not immediately recognise the name Darryn August, but chances are you’ve heard about his heroics back in May 2016.

His story was everywhere, Darryn saving a pregnant woman from three knife-wielding attackers whilst on the train. The men threw him off the train, between Firgrove and Somerset West stations, which resulted in a fractured spine.

As the public sung his praises, friends started to raise money on crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy. Donations poured in, and within weeks they had raised in excess of R500 000.

Carte Blanche set out to tell 28-year-old Darryn’s story, but instead they found discrepancies at every turn. Here’s their write-up:

In April 2016 Darryn August was left paralysed after being violently flung from a moving train in an attempt to protect a pregnant woman from gangsters. This real-life superhero’s story of bravery has since inspired people across the nation and he’s received waves of support from fellow South Africans. But is there more to this story?

Turns out there is quite a bit more. We can’t embed their video, but if you click the image below you’ll find Carte Blanche’s story:

Not a good look.

BackaBuddy spoke to IOL about the latest developments:

BackaBuddy chief operating officer Catherine du Plooy said following this news they contacted the NGO Institute for Social Concerns.

“We have a strict vetting process and insist that we manage funds, but often individuals insist to do so themselves, which can concern donors.

“In Darryn’s case, the NGO manages his funds and we spoke to them this morning, and they assured us the funds were only used to cover his medical needs,” said Du Plooy.

She said donors had given mixed responses to the developments, but many said they were happy that the funds had gone towards his medical bills.

Du Plooy said they had August’s assurance he would issue a statement, to be submitted to donors.

At least the costs were used to cover his medical bills, and not something frivolous, but it’s a pretty sad end to a story that started off singing the virtues of an everyday hero.

Let’s just hope that lessons have been learnt.

[sources:carteblanche&iol]