Ax-wielding US 'hero' hitchhiker becomes online hit

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - An ax-wielding United States (US) hitchhiker has become an online hit after recounting how he stopped an allegedly racist motorist, who claimed he was Jesus, from attacking a black man and other passers-by.

Kai, who declined to reveal his full name, gave a colourful interview with a local TV station after the incident in the Californian city of Fresno, in which he used his hatchet to stop the Messianic driver.

The homeless hobo had taken a ride with the motorist when the driver suddenly smashed the car into the back of a power company truck, pinning at least one of its black workers under the vehicle.

The attacker began raving that he was Jesus, and that black people should be got rid off, witnesses said. He then grabbed a nearby woman in a bear-hug, Kai said in a video with over 650,000 views on YouTube by Wednesday.

"Like, a guy that big can snap a woman's neck like a pencil stick .. So I .. ran up behind him with a hatchet ... smash, smash, suh-mash!" said Kai, demonstrating how he repeatedly hit the motorist.

"I'm like, Bro, if you're .. Jesus Christ, I'll be the anti-Christ, man," he added, using repeated expletives.

Witness Tanya Baker confirmed the account to local Fox affiliate KMPH, saying: "The guy just went crazy, and was trying to pull the guy from underneath the truck.

"He just kept saying he was Jesus Christ and he was going to save all of us...he used the 'N' word, meaning the black people, he said we need to get them off of the earth," she added.

Fresno County Sheriff's deputies arrested Jett Simmons McBride, 54, for ramming his car into the PG&E utility company worker, and booked him on suspicion of attempted murder, according to the Fresno Bee.

The 37-year-old victim has a broken leg, a spokesman for his employer told the newspaper, adding: "It's not his belief that anyone should be angry with the driver.

"He just hopes the man gets the help he needs," added PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles.

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