Passenger Drives Sick Chinese Bus Driver to Hospital in Heroic Act

A ride-hailing passenger in China took the wheel and drove her driver to the hospital after he suffered severe stomach pain while traveling on a highway, according to a video uploaded to Douyin on July 19 by Chinese blogger He Shimin. The incident, which highlights an unexpected medical emergency handled mid-transit by a civilian motorist.

Mid-Highway Medical Emergency

The three-minute video recorded by He shows her seated in the back seat as the driver, surnamed Wang, reports feeling unwell. According to the footage, Wang asked He if she could drive the car away from the highway so she could hail another taxi while he sought medical attention. Wang subsequently parked the vehicle in an emergency stopping area, and the pair switched seats.

He continued to check on Wang’s symptoms during the transition. Wang told her that he was experiencing intense pain below his ribs. After driving him to the hospital, He located a doctor and handed over Wang’s personal belongings. Wang thanked her for the assistance, and He checked on his condition once more before leaving the facility, as documented in her video.

Diagnosis and Platform Response

Wang was later diagnosed with a kidney stone, according to Chinese media outlet Red Star News. Ride-hailing app DiDi commented on He’s video on July 20, thanking her for helping the driver and requesting ride details to provide necessary assistance, Red Star News reported. The company later confirmed to Red Star News that it had contacted the driver and that he had returned to work.

Passenger’s Account on Douyin

In a subsequent Douyin video posted on July 22, He stated that she was initially startled by Wang’s unusual request and began recording the journey in case anything unexpected happened. She showed her driving licence to the camera to confirm she had been driving since 2009.

“It was a small act of kindness, and I simply happened to be there to help. Anyone else would have done the same,” He said in the video.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the driver to fall ill?

Wang was diagnosed with a kidney stone after arriving at the hospital, according to Red Star News.

How did the ride-hailing company respond?

DiDi thanked the passenger on Douyin, requested ride details to offer support, and later confirmed that Wang had returned to work, as reported by Red Star News.

Who recorded the incident?

Chinese blogger He Shimin recorded a three-minute video of the event and uploaded it to Douyin on July 19.