This elderly woman's kind gesture to a fellow passenger has been shared worldwide

The man was behaving erractically on a Vancouver bus when she reached out.

This elderly woman's kind gesture to a fellow passenger has been shared worldwide

On Vancouver's Skytrain last week, Ehab Taha managed to capture a moment that he described as "the most incredible display of humanity".

Writing on Facebook, the British Columbia resident said that "a six foot five man suffering from drug abuse and\or mental health issues" became very aggressive and erratic on the bus, cursing and shouting.

While most of the passengers were understandably apprehensive, one brave woman saw someone who was struggling and was moved to reach out.

"While everyone was scared, this one seventy year old woman reached out her hand, tightly gripping his hand until he calmed down, sat down silently, with eventual tears in his eyes," Taha wrote.

Every time the man became agitated, the woman would look at him and calm him down and Taha took the opportunity to take a photo of the encounter.

Photo via Ehab Taha/Facebook
Photo via Ehab Taha/Facebook

After 15 or 20 minutes, the bus arrived at the man's stop. He got up and said "Thanks, grandma", before getting off.

Taha then thanked the woman for her actions, saying that the world needed more people like her.

She started to cry and explained that "I'm a mother and he needed someone to touch." She also said that she didn't want him to feel so alone.

Taha's Facebook post has since gone viral, having been shared almost 30,000 times.

"(The photo) resonated with people," he told CTV News. "It's incredible to see that sometimes human touch can do so much more than anything else.

"I don't know if all of us are that selfless," he said. "I don’t know if all of us would put someone else's needs above our own."

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Smartwatch with health app. Glowing neon icon on brick wall background Health watch: How much health data is healthy? 
Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future
(C)2024 Disney. Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Hotel Re-Opening Watch: Iconic Disneyland Paris hotel re-opens after two year renovation
ieParenting Logo
Writers ieParenting

Our team of experts are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions here

Your digital cookbook

ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited