Foreigner Falls, Bleeding and Shaking—As Onlookers Hesitate…

Source: OT-Team(G)，中国矿业大学上海校友会

  When a foreign man collapsed in Shanghai, a timely intervention made all the difference.

On a chilly morning in early 2025, a foreign man in his 50s collapsed near the riverside beside a corporate headquarters in Shanghai. As onlookers hesitated, Wang Shigang, who was out for his morning run, rushed to his side. The foreign man was convulsing, his face covered in blood.

Without hesitation, Wang spoke to him in English, helping him stay conscious and instructing him to apply pressure to his wounds. He quickly dialed emergency services, giving an exact location, and called for security guards to guide the ambulance. With temperatures at just 4°C, the injured man, suffering from both cold and blood loss, was slipping into semi-consciousness.

When the police arrived to document the scene, Wang stayed focused on getting the ambulance to the right spot. Realizing that the paramedics struggled with English, he jumped into the ambulance, monitoring the man's blood pressure on the way to Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital.

At the hospital, a new challenge emerged—the foreigner needed to pay upfront for a CT scan. Without a second thought, Wang covered the cost. As the man's condition stabilized after emergency wound treatment, Wang contacted his assistant, ensured a proper handover, and quietly left.

Recalling the moment, Wang said, "After I called emergency services, he gripped my hand tightly, and neither of us let go. Our hands were covered in blood, but at that moment, nothing mattered more than saving his life." He later learned that the injured man was a passionate marathon runner.

Wang's fluent English was crucial in bridging the communication gap, ensuring swift medical attention. When asked why he stepped in, he simply said, "If a Chinese person were in trouble by the River Thames, I believe an English friend would help. Life transcends borders."

In March, the recovered runner and his wife presented Wang with a banner of gratitude, deeply moved by his kindness. When asked about the money he had paid upfront, Wang said, "I didn't hesitate—saving a life comes first. I understand hospital policies, so I was willing to take the risk."

After undergoing two surgeries, the injured man is steadily recovering, with his rib fractures and facial wounds healing well. His assistant repeatedly expressed gratitude, even conveying an offer from the executive couple to thank Wang in person. Wang politely declined, saying, "I only hope he can return to running marathons soon."