French gendarme fighting for his life after trading places with hostage

A general view shows rescue forces and police officers at a supermarket after a hostage situation in Trebes, France, March 23, 2018. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

TREBES, France (Reuters) - French officials hailed the bravery of a gendarme who was severely wounded after swapping himself for a hostage held by a gunman during a deadly siege of a supermarket.

"He saved lives. He is fighting for his life," President Emmanuel Macron said in an address to the nation.