Miles Scott, 5, dressed as Batkid, follows Batman as they go to rescue a damsel in distress in San Francisco, Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. San Francisco turned into Gotham City on Friday, as city officials helped fulfill Scott's wish to be "Batkid." Scott, a leukemia patient from Tulelake in far Northern California, was called into service on Friday morning by San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr to help fight crime, The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation says.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Bay Area News Group, Gary Reyes

SAN FRANCISCO - Dressed in a black Batman costume, his fists clenched as he took on foe after foe around San Francisco, a 5-year-old boy who has battled leukemia for years fulfilled his wish Friday to be his favourite superhero.

In the process, Miles Scott became a darling of social media and attracted thousands of fans around the country, including the White House.

"When you have an illness, it's very important to know you have a support system," said Gina Futrell, 51, who was among a large crowd gathered at Union Square for a chance to see the Batkid during his day of capers. Futrell has multiple sclerosis. "I have an extremely strong support system, and I hope he does too. He's such a little hero."

Batkid was called into service by San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr to help fight crime. He rescued a woman from cable car tracks in Nob Hill and captured the Riddler in the act of robbing a downtown bank. He even rescued the San Francisco Giants mascot — Lou Seal — who was kidnapped by the Penguin.
Miles, who is now in remission, was able to fulfil his wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the city.

Batkid had a police escort worthy of a dignitary, as he sped around the city in a black Lamborghini with a Batman decal while officers blocked traffic and rode along with him on motorcycles. The White House sent out a Tweet encouraging Batkid to "Go get 'em!"

The crowds grew after each stop, reaching into the thousands by the time he got to Union Square for lunch at the Burger Bar atop Macy's. Spectators climbed trees and clambered up lampposts, and police and organizers struggled to keep a path open for the motorcade, which sped past onlookers lining the streets six deep for several blocks.

The 5-year-old at times seemed overwhelmed by the outpouring, quietly working through each scenario with clenched fists and tight lips amid delirious chants of "bat kid, bat kid."
"How amazing is this kid," said Lisa Aguirre, 31, who also awaited Miles in Union Square. "He picked my favourite superhero — Batman. I came down to show my support."

From Union Square, Batkid headed off in the Lamborghini to rescue a damsel in distress on a cable car track. Hundreds of people jostled for space, as Batkid accompanied by an adult Batman impersonator emerged from the sleek black car in the city's Russian Hill neighbourhood.

The damsel sat on the street in a dress and thigh-high black boots. She had a handkerchief around her mouth, and her hands were bound behind her back. Batman and Batkid sprang into action, with the aid of a trampoline, as the crowd roared.

They rescued the woman and disabled a plastic replica bomb she was tied to.

The two masked superheroes then took off to nab the Riddler as he robbed a downtown bank.

Batkid later headed off for another crime — the diabolical kidnapping of Lou Seal by the Penguin. A grateful Mayor Ed Lee was going to give Miles a key to the city later after the crooks were corralled.

Miles, who lives in Tulelake in far Northern California, didn't know what was in store for him and thought he was in San Francisco just to get a Batman costume so he could dress like his favourite superhero, KGO-TV reported.

He was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old and ended treatments in June.

His father, Nick Scott, thanked the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation and the estimated 7,000 people who will help make his son's wish come true.

"All the doctors, nurses and all the other parents that have to deal with the same thing we're going through. I hope they get a conclusion to their illnesses like we're getting," Nick Scott told KGO-TV.

Make-A-Wish has fulfilled similar wishes across the country. In Anaheim, a child became Batman's sidekick, Robin; and in Seattle a child was a secret agent, said Jen Wilson, a spokeswoman for the local organization.

The San Francisco Chronicle, KGO-TV and thousands of volunteers were participating in the event. Miles was supposed to see a broadcast in the morning with Suhr calling for his help.

The Chronicle distributed hundreds of copies of special-edition newspapers with the headline, "Batkid Saves City," in Union Square.
"This has turned into a full blown phenomenon," Suhr said Thursday.
___

Associated Press writers Channing Joseph and Sudhin Thanawala contributed to this report.

ORIGINAL STORY:

This undated image released by Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, shows five-year-old Miles Scott dressed as batman. With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the city of San Francisco, 5-year-old Miles Scott, aka Batkid, will rescue a woman from cable car tracks and capture the evil Riddler as he robs a downtown bank. Miles, who lives in Tulelake in far Northern California, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old, ended treatments in June and is in remission.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area

5-YEAR-OLD LEUKEMIA PATIENT SET TO BECOME 'BATKID' AND SAVE SAN FRANCISCO FROM CRIME

SAN FRANCISCO - Crooks beware! Batkid will be fighting crime Friday in the mean streets of San Francisco.

With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the city, 5-year-old Miles Scott, aka Batkid, will rescue a woman from cable car tracks and capture the evil Riddler as he robs a downtown bank.

A flash mob will then summon the leukemia patient for another caper — the diabolical kidnapping of the San Francisco Giants mascot — Lou Seal — by the Penguin.

A grateful mayor Ed Lee will give Miles a key to the city after the crooks are corralled.

KGO-TV says Miles doesn't know what's in store for him and thinks he's in San Francisco just to get a Batman costume so he can dress like his favourite superhero.

Miles, who lives in Tulelake in far Northern California, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old, ended treatments in June and is in remission.

His father, Nick Scott, thanked the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation and the estimated 7,000 people who will help make his son's wish come true.

"All the doctors, nurses and all the other parents that have to deal with the same thing we're going through. I hope they get a conclusion to their illnesses like we're getting," Nick Scott told the station.

Make-A-Wish has fulfilled similar wishes across the country. In Anaheim, a child became Batman's sidekick, Robin; and in Seattle a child was a secret agent, said Jen Wilson. a spokeswoman for the local organization.

The San Francisco Chronicle, KGO-TV and thousands of volunteers are participating in the event. Miles will see a broadcast from in the morning with Police Chief Greg Suhr calling for his help.

The Chronicle will distribute special-edition newspapers with the headline, "Batkid Saves City," in Union Square, where the flash mob will gather, Someone has even provided a Lamborghini to serve as the Batmobile, the station said.

"This has turned into a full blown phenomenon," Suhr said Thursday.

___

AP writer Channing Joseph contributed to this story.

News from © The Associated Press, 2013