Han Ximin, Chen Qi

1824295095@qq.com

A FOREIGN tourist who suddenly fell backwards on an escalator at the Luohu Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection Station received assistance from police officers Saturday.

The man, identified only as Philip, and his wife, tourists from the U.S., were uncertain about the entry procedures as they exited Hong Kong and headed to complete the procedures to enter the mainland. They approached Chen Shijie, a police officer who was on duty at the entry hall, for help.

Since the two tourists were seniors with heavy luggage, Chen helped them transport their luggage and accompanied them to the visa office. Shortly after getting on an escalator, Philip suddenly fell backwards. Li, who was attending to their luggage, immediately stepped forward to catch Philip and called for help. Other police officers on duty rushed to assist, and nearby travelers hurried to press the escalator’s emergency stop button.

After ensuring Philip’s safety, the officers accompanied Philip and his wife to the visa office so they could complete the entry procedures.

“Please do accept my thanks! You saved my life!” said Philip, expressing his gratitude to the immigration officers before entering the mainland.

Philip said that he was not physically well and had a pacemaker. He couldn’t imagine what the consequences of his fall would have been without the officers’ immediate response and help.

With relaxed visa rules for foreigners traveling to China, entry is becoming more and more convenient for those who want to visit China. During the Spring Festival holiday, the first holiday after the U.N. officially listed it as a floating holiday, Shenzhen saw increasing inbound travelers. During the holiday period between Feb. 9 and Sunday, nearly 20,000 foreigners crossed the border into the mainland via Luohu Checkpoint.