Why didn't anyone help!?

Question

This is true and happened very recently to a friend...

A man was travelling on the London Underground. At one station he fell down a flight of stairs. He had 2 broken ribs from his fall. He had blood running down his face.

NO ONE HELPED HIM. Not one person reached out and helped him up, no one called for help from staff or first aid services.

I am a Christian and am stuggling to believe this but I know it's true! Even when I used to call myself an atheist I would have helped someone who fell down a flight of stairs.....

Why didn't anyone help?! Would you have helped or would you have walked on by!?

Looking at some of the answers I am getting I am shocked even more - perhaps this is a reflection of our society.

Alex - yes I have heard of that but I'm not asking about that am I. You are just giving me information about 'similar' events - please answer the question?

'The Dude' There is nothing I am keeping from this story - obviously not going in minor detail but this man was merely commuting home from work

Angela - 1) read the question I did not walk by myself 2) I am from UK so why would I want to call 111

MaxiRyan - no I am not saying I would be surprised if an atheist walked past at all. I was just making the comment that I would have done as a PERSON. i.e. making the point that it really should have NOTHING to do with religion but general common courtesy!

Answer 1

I always stop and offer help. I check if somebody has already called for assistance. If there are already enough people positively active, I leave the scene.
I have traveled a lot. I have seen several nasty accidents. Everywhere I see most people hesitating, some helping. Usually when one takes a positive initiative others join.
And I feel this has nothing to do with religion. I do not expect people from any religion to be more ready to intervene than another person.

Answer 2

I would have helped, being an atheist doesn't come into it, for how many christians walked on by? The reason I would have helped is because he is a Human Being. I think too many people are wrapped up in the rat race to help people i need, they might feel for the guy, but not have the time to help, this is the way society is going, its bad I know, but it is the truth. I try and do something good everyday, no matter how small, we have to take the time out and do something nice for oneanother, otherwise what is the point.

Answer 3

It's because of a psychological thing we believe in. The term is called "diffusion of responsibility". Basically, if there are many people around that can help the person, you feel that someone else will take charge and correct the situation so you don't bother to do anything about it. There is a higher chance of help when less people are around due to this.

For ex: In 1964, a young woman named Kitty Genovese was brutally murdered outside her home in Queens, New York. A minimum of 38 neighbors heard her screams for help, but not one intervened or called the police. The murder lasted for half an hour, meaning that there was enough time for the police to arrive and for Kitty Genovese's life to be saved.

Answer 4

I think I would have helped, but circumstances could have prevented me. If the station was crowded, many would have considered themselves too busy or too concerned about other matters to help. Some would have thought that someone else would have helped. Some would have been afraid. It's an unfortunate aspect of the life we live now that too many are too wrapped up in their own concerns and not enough in that of others. This promotes fear and carelessness in a world in which people can get hurt or die and others would either not care or not notice. Your faith is a good source of comfort since the Bible gives such a wonderful hop for the future. (Revelation 21:1-5)

Answer 5

hey friend:) well i want you to forget for a momemt the confusion thats obiously pouring through your veins, and i want you to now try and face the horrible realities and truths on this subject. Im not claiming to be correct, but putting your mind into another way of thinking may help understand the possibilities in the way people think. 1 word "media." they guy lies there helpless. you are the last person that he sees, he wakes up in hospitle, police are all over him, he tries to sue you. why?? who knows, hes tring to get money?? let your mind think horrifying sick thoughts for just a moment to grasp what the possibilities are!! If he dies, and you pushed him off the steps, because of his confusion, YOU TRY AND PROOVE YOURSELF INNOCENT!!! He is not alive to try to convince other wise. You're now in a wirlpool trap and It's also possible that you are prooved to be innocent, although you didn't do it, do you really want to be in that sittuation??
its the way people think in london my friend, im from portsmouth and i know the undergrounds reasonably well. also, imagine if the guy is hooked up with explosives?? NAA NOOOT IT BLOODY LONDON!! Yes my friend, in bloody london, did it ever have a history on this?? yes it did my friend. Clappam junction?? ring any bells??
I am also a man who would put myself before these risks, i have saved a couple of peoples lives ( so i believe) and i don't even think before, its in my nature to do so. But it doesn't mean that everyone thinks like we do friend!! "media" does this to peoples minds, but in a way its a form of reality also huh??
Although, when your hearts in the right place, thats what matters. at the end of the day, its you who must live with you, and we are only responsible for our own actions and risks!!
For me, i think one opf the biggest rushes in the world, is to walk away having helped someone in such a disasterous sittuation. you may email me at your own discretion.
I'm not sure if my email is hidden, but here it is anyway
[e-mail]. take care.. Gav

Answer 6

I believe that, I saw a video on the news once where a young guy attacked and robbed a very old man in a parking lot. There were about four onlookers, a couple were big guys to, and they just stood there while this old man got beat up. The guy was punching and kicking him! It baffles me to. I would have helped, I know I would have.

Answer 7

Sometimes people are too scared to reach out and help another person. Fear hinders people from what they know is right.
Yes, I would have helped him by calling someone. If he had alot of blood on him I prob. would not have touched him. You never know if someone has something now adays. Sad but true. Thats as honest as I can be.

Answer 8

As a Christian, I assume you've heard of Jesus' parable about a man in a similar situation- the story of the Good Samaritan. The only one who helped the robbed and beaten man after two others passed him by. Humanity is fundamentally flawed- you've heard of Kitty Genovese haven't you?

Answer 9

It is called diffusion of responsibility. The more people there are in the vicinity then the less likely anyone is to help because each individual thinks that someone else will deal with it. Someone else will have called an ambulance or notified somebody in authority etc. This have been well studied.

Answer 10

If he was covered in blood and yelling they might have thought he was crazy and been scared.

Anyways even if this is completely true, it's an exception. I don't think it says anything about society as a whole, normally strangers really do help eachother. That's why this sounds so shocking, it's a very unlikely and unusual situation.