Woman's social media post urges people not to ignore those who fall ill on the street
A woman on the platform Threads described how none of the bystanders tried to help a man crawling along a pavement. A police officer joined the discussion and urged people to call 112 in such situations.
A woman has shared an experience on the social media platform Threads about indifference in public: she saw a man crawling along a pavement, yet bystanders did not offer help. The post prompted a wide discussion about how people react when someone feels unwell in a public place. The account names no specific city or date.
The woman writes that, on leaving an office, she saw the man crawling. Five or six cars stood on the road nearby, a small traffic jam had formed, and several women were calmly smoking outside a restaurant. By her description, the man was not drunk and did not look homeless; his clothes were clean and modest.
She approached him herself. The man explained that he felt dizzy and declined an ambulance, at first refusing her help as well. She helped him to his feet, and after a while he walked away. She writes that most people around were filming, and asks whether it has become easier to take out a phone than to ask whether someone is all right.
Other users' experiences
Several people shared their own stories in the comments. Linda recalls feeling ill near the Domina shopping centre, where dozens of people walked past and only one person, who had recognised her, helped call for medical aid. Liene says she recently helped an elderly woman who fell on a pedestrian crossing and drove her home. Sintija notes that her mother had two stroke episodes on the street and strangers helped both times by calling the Emergency Medical Service (NMPD).
Another user described an incident during the Covid-19 pandemic near the Gaismas pils building in Riga, where a man lay on the ground and blood was visible on the road. He called NMPD, and the only one who stopped was a bus driver.
Police officer's advice
A police officer also joined the discussion, urging people not to be afraid to seek help and to call the single emergency number 112. The dispatcher will assess the situation and send the required services, with police or NMPD called out as needed.
