Lucknow, Oct 5 (Agencies): Amid outrage over a mob killing in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that a calf had been killed, a young Muslim man in state capital Lucknow has made news by saving a cow that had fallen into a well.

On Saturday, Mohammad Zaki was on his way home from a mosque when he noticed a large crowd around a well. When he saw a distressed, bellowing cow at the bottom, he volunteered to go down for a rescue mission.

The 20-year-old was lowered into the well with a strap attached to a crane.

When he reached the bottom of the 35-foot well, the scared animal apparently hit him.

Zaki had to comfort the cow and pat it before he could strap it firmly to the crane. Then he sat on the animal.

Many in the crowd were seen urging Zaki to send the cow up first, but he did not want to risk the animal falling on him.

Witnesses say many volunteered to go down the well for the cow but Zaki was most insistent.

Zaki works as a house painter and odd jobs man. His family says he loves animals and is also the first to plunge in when anyone needs help.