Live in a city with a large racecourse. On race days, it is not unusual to see people who may have taken a drink.
Was running by the river, and up ahead of me I could see someone lying on the floor. As people were WALKING PAST this individual, I assumed it was just kids playing. At least 5/6 people walked past. As I approached, I saw someone stop and kneel down.
When I got there, there was a man lying on the floor, bleeding profusely from his head. The ground was literally sodden with blood. Fortunately, the man kneeling beside him was first aid trained, and by this point someone else had stopped and was on the phone to an ambulance. I stopped and asked if there was anything I could do; the first aider asked if I had anything to make a compress to stem the bleeding. I didn't, as in just joggers and tee.
There was quite a crowd by this point, including a man holding a newspaper. I asked him if we could borrown the newpaper to place under the man's head- not ideal, but better than nothing. He tutted loudly, rolled his eyes and begrudgingly handed it over.
The first aider assured me there was nothing I could do, so I headed home. But have been thinking.
Yes, the injured man was drunk (hence falling over) but he was not abusive at all, and was obviously in no posistion to be physically violent, which is the obvious reason for not stopping to help. And I had seen several people walk past before the first aider stopped. It was harldy like you could miss the fact he was hurt; there was an enormous puddle of blood.
I would be willing to bet at least hlaf the people that had walked past him would ahve had phones. So even if you didn't want to get involved, surely they could've stopped and rang an ambulance?
What happened to the idea of the kindness of strangers? Or even basic human compassion? Sorry for inarticulate post, just cross.