Daily Lessons from Life 20 November 2010 - Elderly man hit by van robbed as he lies bleeding on the road

"Sat, Nov 20, 2010 The New Paper - Elderly man hit by van robbed as he lies bleeding on the road

HE PRETENDED to be concerned about the elderly pedestrian who had just been hit by a van.

The man rushed over, knelt and appeared to be interested in helping the pedestrian. He suddenly darted off, past about 50 people waiting under a bus shelter as heavy rain pelted down.

Said a witness, Ms Faith Ong: 'The driver of the van shouted, 'Robbery, Robbery' in Mandarin, and then gave chase.' But the man outran the van driver, who returned to help the elderly man, said Ms Ong, who is self-employed and in her late 30s.

It turns out the man was helping himself to the injured pedestrian's wallet."

Some of the witnesses said: I could not believed that someone will rob an injured, helpless old man lying on the road!!

Indeed, a dastardly act. A very sad situation. What was going through the thief's mind when he did what he had done? Blow my mind!! Yet, someone DID do it!! That said a lot about the diversity of the human race and how everyone mind worked differently!!

Lessons for me are:

1. it was a depressing story for many normal human being. To think that one of its kind can sink so low to 'benefit' himself or herself at other's expense;

2. it is also gratifying to learn that many more tried to help the injured old man despite the rain then. The driver who knocked the old man down despite his alleged efforts to avoid hitting him did not shirked from his responsibility and was with the old man all the while. Those who gave shelter and called the ambulance and those who gave chase showed that that 'thief' if just a minority. On the whole, the human race is quite compassionate and not so opportunistic and heartless!!;

3. this story also taught me to expect the unexpected though I am not going to lose any sleep worrying that someone like that 'thief' may just appeared when I am in trouble as I know more often than not, my fellow human being will help a person in difficulty than to rob him or her!!

May the injury to the old man be a minor one and that he is alright. May the driver involved be at peace too as it was an accident and as long as life is not lost, the damages to the car and property is of lesser consequence.