Witnessed a near-drowning today— shocked by people reaction
Hi everyone,
Today I witnessed a near-drowning incident in Okutama (Tokyo area), and I’m still very shocked and trying to process what happened.
I went hiking with a friend, and after passing the dam we sat on some rocks near the river (it was allowed). Nearby there was an area blocked off with a rope because it was dangerous, but some people were still going there.
There was a spot that looked like a small beach, but it was actually debris over water. An older woman stepped onto it, probably thinking it was safe, and suddenly fell into the water.
She didn’t shout or clearly ask for help, and her husband nearby didn’t seem very alarmed. Because of that, the situation didn’t immediately feel urgent. Then it started to look like she was struggling, but still she said nothing, and neither did the people near her.
Suddenly I heard someone say, “She’s drowning.”
What really scared me was that several people were standing nearby but didn’t react. I looked around in panic and said to myself, “I can’t swim,” hoping someone would jump in (I feel quite ashamed that I didn’t do it myself).
Luckily, an older man in a canoe reached her, scooped her up, and brought her closer to the rocks. Then he asked,
「体力がある人がいませんか？.
No one answered.
I wanted to respond, but I’m small (about 50 kg / 160 cm), I was panicking, and I’m not very strong, so I hesitated. I kept looking at the young man behind me, hoping he would step in.
Then the man in the canoe asked again, 「誰か若い人？」(“Someone young?”), but still no reaction.
My friend went to get a long stick, and I called out to a man who was passing by and looked strong, and he came to help. After that, people started moving more, and we formed a kind of human chain to pull her out.
I gave my towel to support her after she was out, and her husband called the firefighters.
She is safe now, I think.
Still, I keep thinking about a few things:
Why didn’t people react immediately, even when directly asked?
Why didn’t the woman call for help or shout?
I’m not trying to judge anyone—just trying to understand. I’m still shaken, and also a bit ashamed of my own hesitation, still I can not swim and I am not sure I would been able to help.