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Original poster

Elderly lady fell down

33 replies

kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 21:55

Horrible thing happened today. As I was driving to an appointment an elderly lady crossing the road quite far in front of me seemed to trip on the kerb and take a tumble onto the pavement. A few cars drove past her and as I approached I could see she was struggling to get

OP posts:
Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:10

Up. So I pulled over and went to her assistance. A postman who'd also witnessed the fall also came to help. The lady had absolutely no visible injuries and seemed more embarrassed than hurt. I did ask where she he was going and she told me she was getting on a bus to Tesco and the bus stop was round the corner and off she wandered. I'm now feeling absolutely awful that I didn't do more to help. I'm worried that she might have been in shock and maybe have come to some harm.

OP posts:
ICouldEat · 09/01/2024 22:11

It seems to have posted before you finished but it sounds like you went to help the lady?
It is distressing to see someone hurt and struggling. I hope she was okay and you soon feel less awful about witnessing it Flowers

ICouldEat · 09/01/2024 22:13

Ahh x post. She probably wanted to just leave the scene of her embarrassment. If she had been hurt she would have accepted help, I’m sure she’s fine.

Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:13

Thank you. It was obviously terrible to see but a million times worse for the poor lady who fell over. I just hope she's alright

OP posts:
Riseandshinee · 09/01/2024 22:14

If she was elderly you should have called someone because she might have had dementia

Fillyfrog · 09/01/2024 22:14

What else could you have done? She had no visible injuries, was able to get up, wasn't crying, upset etc. I wouldn't worry about this, I know it's not nice seeing someone fall but it could have been loads worse

adriftinadenofvipers · 09/01/2024 22:16

Riseandshinee · 09/01/2024 22:14

If she was elderly you should have called someone because she might have had dementia

Sooo... all older people have dementia now...!!

I assume that as she was out unaccompanied there is a reasonable chance that she does not.

Fair play to you for stopping OP.

Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:23

Thank you all. I was really shocked that nobody else stopped and as we were helping her to her feet drivers (mostly in vans) were beeping and getting annoyed because they had to spend a nanosecond driving around my car…

OP posts:
Mairzydotes · 09/01/2024 22:37

You did the right thing . If she managed to walk off, she was probably fine .

reflecting2023 · 09/01/2024 22:43

It's a tough situation and can leave you feeling anxious. You helped her, people have free will, she was walking and wanted to go so I think it was ok. But I know how you feel as I've been there many times and public situations are always a bit chaotic. Well done 👍

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 09/01/2024 22:45

Dementia.

Absolutely no reference to that whatsoever.

What a leap.

Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:49

reflecting2023 · 09/01/2024 22:43

It's a tough situation and can leave you feeling anxious. You helped her, people have free will, she was walking and wanted to go so I think it was ok. But I know how you feel as I've been there many times and public situations are always a bit chaotic. Well done 👍

Thank you so much. I hope she's ok and having a laugh about all this 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:51

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 09/01/2024 22:45

Dementia.

Absolutely no reference to that whatsoever.

What a leap.

Lol there's always one 2😳

OP posts:
Ermengarde · 09/01/2024 22:51

My mum when in her early 80s had a similar kind of trip on the pavement fall. She was helped up (would have struggled on her own) and said she was fine and she was, just some bruising which came up later. Obviously it’s very easy to come off a lot worse at that age, but I just wanted to reassure you OP that’s it’s perfectly possible she was indeed fine. And probably very grateful you stopped to help.

Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:53

Ermengarde · 09/01/2024 22:51

My mum when in her early 80s had a similar kind of trip on the pavement fall. She was helped up (would have struggled on her own) and said she was fine and she was, just some bruising which came up later. Obviously it’s very easy to come off a lot worse at that age, but I just wanted to reassure you OP that’s it’s perfectly possible she was indeed fine. And probably very grateful you stopped to help.

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
sondot · 09/01/2024 22:54

Riseandshinee · 09/01/2024 22:14

If she was elderly you should have called someone because she might have had dementia

She fell over ffs. How do you get from that to dementia Confused

StarDolphins · 09/01/2024 22:59

I had to help a lovely old man up after his mobility scooter tooled sideways as he was going (speeding!🤣) down a ramp & he was extra keen to just be put back on so he could go. He threw his arm up & said thanks then sped off! A lady then passed & said I should’ve phoned an ambulance & told me off! I saw the man in one of the shops a few days later so he was definitely fine.

I’m sure this lady will be fine & lovely of you to stop & help her. So many people just drive past.

Original poster
kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 23:06

StarDolphins · 09/01/2024 22:59

I had to help a lovely old man up after his mobility scooter tooled sideways as he was going (speeding!🤣) down a ramp & he was extra keen to just be put back on so he could go. He threw his arm up & said thanks then sped off! A lady then passed & said I should’ve phoned an ambulance & told me off! I saw the man in one of the shops a few days later so he was definitely fine.

I’m sure this lady will be fine & lovely of you to stop & help her. So many people just drive past.

This made me laugh so much. I'm feeling so much better now.

OP posts:
blacksax · 09/01/2024 23:20

Riseandshinee · 09/01/2024 22:14

If she was elderly you should have called someone because she might have had dementia

So elderly + fell over = dementia now does it?

Hmm
BeadedBubbles · 09/01/2024 23:23

Riseandshinee · 09/01/2024 22:14

If she was elderly you should have called someone because she might have had dementia

Who should she have called? And should she have restrained the lady to stop her wandering off before whoever was called turned up? Confused

Darklane · 09/01/2024 23:45

You did the right thing.
I’m old, not quite as old but getting there, & have bad arthritis in my spine which makes me quite unsteady so had several bad tumbles, luckily not in public.
I’d be beyond miffed to be thought to have dementia just cos I’m a bit unsteady & prone to tripping. I expect she was more embarrassed than anything, glad someone at least cared enough to enquire if she needed help but otherwise hasty to leave the site of the embarrassment. Pity nobody else much bothered but that’s usually the case these days unfortunately.

Jitterybugs · 09/01/2024 23:58

Ah come on, a trip and tumble can happen to anyone. I tripped on the kerbside and fell on my 2 knees a few weeks ago. I’m in the elderly age bracket and fairly confident I don’t have dementia. I had stuff on my mind and was distracted and not paying attention.
Well done for going to her aid OP. Several cars drove by me as I was trying to get back on my feet while still clinging tight to the dog’s lead in case he ran into the road. But when I was upright again I just wanted to get going and get home for a couple of plasters for my skint knees.

XenoBitch · 10/01/2024 00:02

kitchensupps · 09/01/2024 22:23

Thank you all. I was really shocked that nobody else stopped and as we were helping her to her feet drivers (mostly in vans) were beeping and getting annoyed because they had to spend a nanosecond driving around my car…

This is sadly common.
Years back, my motorbike slipped out from under me on diesel. Everyone just drove round me... I was trapped under my bike in the middle of the road. One person stopped, asked if I was seriously hurt.. when I said no, he got back in his car and buggered off. It was another biker that actually stopped to properly check on me.

Original poster
kitchensupps · 10/01/2024 00:02

Jitterybugs · 09/01/2024 23:58

Ah come on, a trip and tumble can happen to anyone. I tripped on the kerbside and fell on my 2 knees a few weeks ago. I’m in the elderly age bracket and fairly confident I don’t have dementia. I had stuff on my mind and was distracted and not paying attention.
Well done for going to her aid OP. Several cars drove by me as I was trying to get back on my feet while still clinging tight to the dog’s lead in case he ran into the road. But when I was upright again I just wanted to get going and get home for a couple of plasters for my skint knees.

Thanks

OP posts:
MaidOfSteel · 10/01/2024 00:04

Good on you for stopping, OP.
I've had quite a few falls and, when it happens in public, it's very embarrassing. Particularly if you can't pick yourself up.
The number of people who don't stop to help is very disappointing, to be honest. You did a lovely thing and I'm sure the lady will be fine.