A woman used her body to save an elderly man tumbling down an escalator in eastern China.

CCTV footage filmed in Nanjing City in Jiangsu Province on 16 January, shows an elderly man suddenly losing his balance on an escalator and tumbling backwards. In a split-second decision, Ms. Bian, a fellow commuter, immediately braced herself, retreating step by step.

As the escalator continued its relentless descent, the man's weight bore down heavily on Bian, but she held on determinedly, even as she fell, positioning herself to cushion his fall and prevent any injuries.

Police officer Li Zeyu, hearing cries for help, dashed to the scene, halting the escalator and rushing to aid the pair.

After a thorough check, it was found that Bian had sustained minor scrapes on her back, while the elderly man, thanks to her protection, was unharmed.

Authorities are now seeking to honour Bian with a bravery award. Remarkably, the day of the incident was also her 30th birthday. Reflecting on the event, Ms. Bian humbly stated: "Ensuring the old man's safety is the best gift I could have received on my birthday."

The video was provided by local media with permission.

1月16日中午，江苏南京地铁一号线天隆寺地铁站内，一名手拄拐杖的老人拖着行李小推车，在乘坐扶梯时突然失去平衡，整个人向后倒去。身后的市民卞女士见状，毫不犹豫地上前撑住老人，但由于力量有限连连后退。一步、两步、三步……接连七步，由于扶梯仍在运行，老人倾倒得愈发严重，几乎全部重量都压在了卞女士身上，但她一直没有放手，直到支撑不住摔倒之际，她还努力用身体挡在老人身下，避免他受伤。当站执勤辅警李泽宇听到呼救声，立即飞奔赶往现场，按下位于扶梯底部的急停按钮，并快步上前搀扶二人。经辅警仔细检查、询问，卞女士的背部有轻微擦伤，而这位老人由于她的保护没有受伤。
据了解，警方正在为卞女士申请见义勇为奖励。而那天恰好是卞女士的生日，卞女士说：“老人安全无恙，这是我30岁生日最好的礼物。”