Sorry but what is this country coming to?

[Patricia]

What has happened to this country when nobody will stop to offer assistance to an ill elderly person? Whatever happened to Australian's always ready to lend a hand?

Are we all afraid? Is it because we are living in a more litegous society?

What are your views on this?

.Read story here (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18373282-421,00.html)

[sandramay]

I think I read or saw something on this. now what I want to know, is she is a community person. well known in the community, why is it people only really kick up a stink when it happens to someone well known?

This has been happening for longer than just now, people are left to die in peak hour in train stations because no one will stop.

There was a study done my husband talks about it because he learnt it in university. 2 groups were told they were to do a speech infront of all these important people on how people don't stop to help a stranger in need. One group was told they were running late, the others had pleanty of time. The ones in a hurry didn't stop. the ones with plenty did. No wonder everyone is stressed in this world, they can't even stop to help a person dying on the side of a footpath because "they have to be somewhere".

It doesn't surprise me in the least that this has happened, nor is it the first time I have heard about it. Everyone should open their eyes and look at what the world is doing, what direction it is going in and really think about these things more often.

[Barbara]

That is shocking - I hadn't heard about it but can't believe it took that long for someone to see if she was okay.

I have seen similar things happen and so many people just keep walking past or look but do nothing - it just isn't right.

Just last year an elderly lady (92 to be exact) was walking along a few market stalls in the car park at one of our local clubs and tripped over a tent rope that wasn't pushed in properly. It was quite a hot day and luckily she was with her daughters. We got a chair from inside the club and let her sit under our marquee. The amount of people that stopped to just look (not help) was sickening. She was very lucky not to have broken her hip or any other bones. She was very sore though and would have no doubt come out with a few nasty bruises. It made us very mad that day that the owners of the stall didn't even acknowledge what had happened. They didn't say anything, just waited for the commotion to calm down then gingerly went out & pushed the ropes in.

[sandramay]

you know it actually reminds me of people in their cars broken down on the side of the road. one time when I was about 6 or so. my mum had an operation on her hand, we went up to visit my grandparents in kadina about 1 1/2 from here, we got to the town, got a flat tire, now of course all us girls being 12 and under couldn't undo the nuts for mum who had a bad hand... EVEN THE POLICE drove past without stopping to ask if we needed help. ended up walking from one side of town to the other to get my grandfather to come out and change the tyre.

That's something that never happens anymore, just general help like that.

[Jewly]

I really felt for that poor woman. She must have been so scared just lying there helpless with no one coming to help her. I can understand that people might have thought she was drunk but that's still no excuse. They could have easily rung and ambulance and stayed with her long enough to know that she was going to be taken care of.

[mejane]

It can take a lot of effort to override concern about self-preservation, unwanted hassle or fear of being sued. Particularly in the city where there are lots of people around and the thought that "someone else" will stop and help. It is very easy to look the other way and pretend it's not happening. People who do stop are truly wonderful. I feel sorry for the lady, but I'm also sorry it is being turned into a racial issue.