In mainland China, incidents of being extorted for helping the elderly are not uncommon. Recently, in Hengyang City, Hunan Province, an elderly person passed away suddenly while resting in a chess room. The owner of the shop kindly assisted the elderly person and called for an ambulance for emergency rescue, but was instead extorted 100,000 yuan (RMB) by the elderly person’s relatives, ultimately settling for 19,000 yuan. The incident has sparked widespread discussion and debate.
According to a witness named Mr. Deng interviewed by Hunan TV, the shop owner immediately stepped forward to administer aid after the incident occurred, attempting first aid on the elderly person by pressing on their philtrum. During the rescue process, the shop owner accidentally slipped and fell. Despite the efforts and the arrival of the emergency services, the elderly person sadly passed away after over an hour of rescue attempts.
Surveillance footage circulating online shows that at 12:50 pm on August 17 in a small chess room in Qidong County, Hengyang City, an elderly person walked in alone, sat on a chair at the entrance, appearing unwell as they continuously touched their head and neck, then sat quietly without moving.
The female shop owner initially engrossed in her phone, did not notice the elderly person’s condition. Four minutes later, she approached the elderly person, realizing something was wrong, and tried to communicate with him, but received no response.
The female shop owner quickly called a man who had just entered the shop, and upon inspection, the man exclaimed, “Oh no, it’s too late, he’s already gone.” The female shop owner immediately called emergency services. Along with two others, they helped the elderly person to the shop’s entrance and stayed by his side.
Five minutes later, the ambulance arrived, and medical staff examined the elderly person before placing him in the ambulance and leaving the scene. However, after the elderly person’s passing, his family members not only failed to express gratitude to the shop owner but resorted to extorting 100,000 yuan from her. The elderly person’s son claimed that because they intervened, the situation became the shop owner’s responsibility.
The son of the elderly person threatened the shop owner, saying he would place the elder’s body at the entrance of the chess room to disrupt her business.
After the incident came to light, the son of the female shop owner spoke to the media, stating that his mother did not know the elderly person. When the elderly person collapsed inside the shop, they offered assistance and took him to the hospital, where he unfortunately passed away. Subsequently, the elderly person’s family demanded compensation, leading to two negotiations at the local police station, eventually settling on a payment of 19,000 yuan. According to the local police station, an agreement was reached between both parties, and the compensation amount has been paid.
Confirmed by the media, this incident occurred in the Shengshi Community, Hongqiao Street, Qidong County, Hengyang City.
Amidst the escalating public opinion, in an effort to deflect attention, a local private company sent a condolence payment of 20,000 yuan to the female shop owner on the afternoon of the 24th. However, many netizens questioned why there were no penalties for the unjust extortionists.
Similar incidents like the well-known 2006 “Nanjing Peng Yu case” continue to occur. At that time, an elderly lady named Xu Shoulan in Nanjing was hit and injured at a bus stop. She accused a young man named Peng Yu, who had just gotten off the bus, of being the perpetrator, while Peng Yu claimed he was merely trying to help. The Nanjing Gu Lou District Court ruled Peng Yu to bear 40% responsibility, ordering him to pay over 45,000 yuan in compensation. The first-instance verdict, using statements like “Since you didn’t hit him, why did you help?” as part of the ruling basis, sparked significant controversy over judicial fairness and social morality.
Following the Peng Yu case, more fraudulent cases involving good Samaritans emerged, highlighting the societal issue of “people afraid to help fallen elderly individuals.” The Peng Yu case is seen as a representative social phenomenon, reflecting a decline in morals facilitated by the official promotion under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party.