A quick-thinking firefighter sprang into action to save an elderly man from a potentially catastrophic fall down an escalator at a hospital in southern China.

CCTV footage filmed in Chongqing on March 5, shows an elderly man ascending an escalator with a bag in tow. Suddenly, he faltered, his body arching backward as the escalator continued its upward motion, leaving him in a precarious position. Despite his efforts to cling to the handrail, the situation grew increasingly dire.

Rushing to the scene, firefighter Liu Yang, who happened to be at the hospital for a medical examination, swiftly approached the escalator and, from behind, secured the elderly man, ensuring his stability until they safely reached the top. Only after ensuring the elderly man's safety did Liu depart, leaving behind a shining example of heroism in the face of adversity.

Reportedly 28 years old, Liu Yang serves as a driver at the Yuelai Fire Station in Yubei District, having been engaged in firefighting duties since 2017. Speaking to reporters from Jimu News, Liu Yang revealed that despite feeling unwell and being en route to pay fees at the hospital's counter, he couldn't ignore the imminent danger facing the elderly man on the escalator. Liu's instinctive response, he emphasized, was simply the right thing to do in such a situation.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

3月5日上午11点多，重庆市渝北区人民医院的扶梯上出现惊险一幕，一名老人身体不断后仰，情况危险。这时，正在医院就医的渝北区悦来消防救援站消防员刘洋看到情况后，赶紧冲上前去扶住了老人，避免了危险的发生。
监控视频中，一名老大爷提着口袋走上电梯。突然，老人身体顿了一下，开始后仰，但电梯依旧带着他的身体向上，老人丢下口袋，双手努力抓住扶手，但情况依旧很危险。
正在医院做检查的悦来消防救援站消防员刘洋看到这个情况后，大步冲上扶梯，从背后抱住老人，将其扶稳，直到老人平安到达电梯口，刘洋这才离开。
据了解，刘洋今年28岁，在渝北区悦来消防站担任驾驶员岗位，2017年从事消防员工作至今。他告诉极目新闻记者，当天身体不舒服，到医院做检查，在去窗口缴费途中，他看到扶梯上有老人向后仰，情况危险，于是赶紧冲上前扶住了老人，“就是一种本能，这件事本身也是我该做的事情。”