Chinese people are often criticized for failing to help strangers in need, but what happens when they go the other way?
A distressed man climbed on top of a 10-meter-tall traffic light in downtown Changsha on Tuesday in the early morning. Police arrived quickly and managed to talk him down and take him away, according to NetEase.
However, not long after, he was back again, perched on top of the traffic light, high above the road. After he was up there for a good four hours, a group of good Samaritans decided to lend a helping hand. Since rescuers had already blown up an inflatable underneath the traffic light, the good Samaritans thought that they could simply poke the man off his perch and into the cushion below.
When a broom proved not long enough for the task, they grabbed a 3-meter-long plastic pole and starting whacking the man. During this time, one police officer seems to make a half-hearted attempt at stopping them, but his two fellow officers simply look on.
The cops watch as the man, angry at being poked and prodded, suddenly leaps toward the overpass, unfortunately coming up a bit short, falling down to the side of the inflatable, straight on to the hard pavement.
Afterward, the man was rushed to the hospital where he was said to be in critical condition. Police say they are investigating the actions of the “good Samaritans.”
Watch the video below:
And leave this sort of thing to the professionals.
– Do not leave the person alone
– Remove any sharp objects, alcohol, drugs or firearms that could be used in a suicide attempt
– Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
– Call the following hotlines for help: Lifeline Shanghai: 021-6279-8990 (English speakers; 10am – 10pm daily); HopeLine: 4001619995 (Chinese speakers; 24/7 toll-free access)
[Images via Weibo / NetEase // Video via CCTV]
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