A man was found lying motionless on a bench at Kovan MRT station, prompting concern among commuters and raising questions about public response during possible medical emergencies in Singapore’s public transport spaces. The incident, which unfolded during peak commuter hours, drew attention not only to the man’s condition but also to the reactions — or lack thereof — from those nearby.
The Witness
I was at Kovan MRT and saw this man lying motionless on the seat. I was a little freaked out because he was not moving at all and I literally thought he was gone or had a stroke or something. But I hesitated trying to wake him up because nobody else was doing anything.
Finally when I decided to wake him up (because I’m so compassionate right) he sat up and vomited everywhere. and I thought oh no this man is drunk. everyone else was just staring at him??
like omg where did your compassion go. ofc I will still a little scared he was going to die because I am extremely paranoid. HE JUST KEPT VOMITTING.
I was just freaking out because wtf did I just do and I went to get the station guy who went down and talked on his walkie talkie.
and now I’m freaking out even more because idk whether I should have woken him up. My main rationale was because I didn’t want this to end up on mothership with a headline like “man lies dead in mrt station while Singaporeans do nothing to help”
BUT I WAS LITERALLY THE ONLY PERSON WHO DID ANYTHING SO EHEIEJEVEI .
should I just have minded my own business like the other people and did nothing? do y’all frequently see dead looking people in mrt stations? what should I have done??
Also why did no one else do anything? What would y’all have done? Did MOE fail at teaching us to be kind??
Bystander Inaction Raises Public Questions
The incident has since fuelled broader discussion about bystander behaviour in Singapore, particularly in public spaces such as MRT stations where large crowds are common. Observers have questioned why no one else stepped forward earlier to check on the man, despite the apparent risk that he could have been experiencing a life-threatening medical episode.
Some members of the public have pointed to the “bystander effect”, a well-documented phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help when others are present, often assuming someone else will intervene. Fear of misinterpretation, personal safety concerns, and uncertainty about appropriate action may also contribute to inaction.
The situation has also reignited conversations about civic responsibility and compassion. While Singapore places strong emphasis on community values and social responsibility, real-world incidents suggest that hesitation remains common when emergencies are ambiguous.
Experts generally advise that when encountering someone who appears unresponsive in public, commuters should alert station staff immediately or call for medical assistance rather than attempting to handle the situation alone. MRT stations are equipped with trained personnel precisely for such scenarios.
While the man’s final condition was not disclosed, the incident serves as a reminder that timely action — even if imperfect — can make a critical difference. It also highlights the need for continued public education on recognising and responding to medical emergencies, ensuring that compassion is matched with confidence and clarity in moments that matter most.