San Francisco transforms into Gotham City to allow 5-year-old leukemia patient to play 'Batkid' for a day

A 5-year-old boy with cancer became a superhero for a day Friday, as San Francisco transformed itself into Gotham City and thousands turned out to see the Batkid fly to the rescue.

Miles Scott, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old, was cheered across town in his Batmobile to nab arch villain Riddler and save a damsel in distress.

Police chief Greg Suhr ordered his men to help the pint-sized caped crusader take on his nemesis the Penguin, while he also got messages from the city's San Francisco Giants and 49ers for his day in the limelight.

"Our hero has arrived. The streets of San Francisco are safe today" the 49ers tweeted, as social media went wild for the youngster, prompting huge crowds to follow him.

The story then took off, making national and international news, with live coverage by outlets including CNN.

"I've never seen anything go viral like this, with the outpouring of support from across the world," said Patricia Wilson of Make-a-Wish Foundation, the charity which organized the dream day.

Thousands gathered in the city's Union Square when the Batkid took a break to refuel at a local restaurant. "Even superheroes have to have lunch," explained one live TV reporter, surveying the throng stretching across the square.

Scott, whose leukemia is currently in remission, was also due to be given the keys to the city by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, during his day as the famous comic-book crime fighter.

[Image via AFP]