A simple grocery delivery turned into a life-saving moment when an Instacart worker trusted her instincts—and it made all the difference.
Jessica Higgs, a mom and Instacart shopper, shared her emotional story in a now-viral TikTok video. She explained how she went beyond her usual duties and ended up saving a man’s life.
Jessica received an order from a woman who wanted groceries delivered to her father’s house, as he was unable to shop for himself. It seemed like any other delivery, but something about this one felt different.
@jessicahiggs3 @Instacart #28DaysOfEucerin #fyp ♬ original sound – Jessica Higgs
“I always go the extra mile for my customers,” Jessica said, “but this time, I felt like I needed to do even more.”
Instead of just dropping the groceries at the door and leaving, as Instacart’s protocol requires, she made a judgment call. She decided to bring the groceries inside and place them where the elderly man wanted. That’s when she realized something was off.
The man didn’t look well, and a strange feeling settled in Jessica’s gut. Then, she noticed a propane tank nearby.
“I stepped inside, and within seconds, I felt dizzy,” she recalled. “I knew there had to be a gas leak.”
Alarmed, she immediately messaged the man’s daughter, explaining her concerns. Since the app wouldn’t let her send messages after marking the order as complete, she made sure to reach out beforehand.
The daughter quickly responded, assuring Jessica that her son would go check on his grandfather. She also changed Jessica’s tip from $14 to $100 as a thank-you for her kindness.
But the biggest reward came later.
Jessica received a message from the daughter that read:
“Thank you so much. Once my son checked on my dad, we found out there was a gas leak. You saved my dad and my younger son’s life!!!”Overwhelmed with emotion, Jessica ended her video with a powerful reminder:
“If you see something, say something.”
Her story resonated with millions, racking up over 15 million views. People flooded the comments, calling her a hero—including supermodel Bella Hadid, who praised Jessica’s actions.
Even Instacart responded, saying, “We are constantly inspired by the incredible people who choose to be Instacart shoppers and make a positive impact in the lives of others. This story touched our hearts, and we are grateful for shoppers like Jessica.”
One small act of kindness changed everything. Jessica, you are a true hero!
