HONG KONG — A dramatic episode aboard a Citybus ended late Wednesday night after an unresponsive passenger sparked fears among fellow travelers and the driver, leading to an emergency response that was ultimately resolved as a simple misunderstanding. The incident, which unfolded on the Route 619 bus traveling toward Sheung Shui, highlighted public anxiety over sudden health crises in transit but concluded with the news that the 26-year-old foreign national was merely asleep.
The unsettling scene began around 11:08 p.m. on June 19, as the double-decker bus approached the Lam Tin MTR station. Passengers noticed a young man, dressed in a suit and wearing headphones, slumped motionless in his seat, a travel bag resting beside him. His complete lack of response to external stimuli, including multiple attempts by the driver and other riders to rouse him, quickly escalated concern from simple drowsiness to a potential medical emergency.
Driver Notifies Authorities Amid Increasing Alarm
Video footage of the episode circulated widely on social media platforms, capturing the palpable tension within the moving vehicle. The footage shows the bus driver repeatedly calling out “Hello” and lightly patting the man’s arm, all to no avail. The driver then informed passengers, “It seems this passenger is having some difficulty,” before immediately contacting emergency services.
This quick action aligns with standard protocol for public transport operators when faced with potentially unconscious individuals. The gravity of the presumed situation was evident in online commentary, with some users expressing deep concern for the man’s well-being. One widely translated comment stated, “This cannot be just sleeping; no one sleeps like that.”
The incident triggered a swift response from emergency services. Police confirmed they received a call classified as “person fainted” from the Route 619 bus driver at 11:12 p.m. while the vehicle was near the Lam Tin MTR station.
Misdiagnosis of Unconsciousness Causes Emergency Response
Upon the arrival of paramedics, the situation took an unexpected turn. As medical personnel attended to the man, the 26-year-old passenger regained full consciousness, seemingly startled by the commotion. Following an on-site assessment, officials concluded that the foreign national was not suffering from any medical episode or injury, but had simply been in a very deep sleep.
“The case was originally classified as a ‘person fainted’ but has since been reclassified as a ‘misunderstanding,’” a police spokesperson confirmed. No one involved required hospitalization, bringing the abrupt alarm to a reassuring conclusion.
This widely publicized event underscores the necessity for vigilance in public spaces, particularly when individuals appear unresponsive. While initial fears of a medical emergency, such as a diabetic episode or sudden cardiac event, were ultimately unfounded, citizen awareness and the driver’s immediate invocation of the 999 emergency line ensured a safety net was in place.
Medical experts often remind the public that distinguishing between deep sleep and unconsciousness can be challenging without professional training. However, the rule of thumb remains: if a person cannot be woken up by repeated verbal commands and gentle physical stimulation, emergency help should be called immediately.
The incident provides a notable example of Hong Kong’s robust public safety infrastructure responding effectively, even if the eventual patient was just well-rested. Bus operators and the public are urged to continue reporting any sign of distress among commuters to ensure timely assistance.
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