The more good Samaritans a society has, the more individuals will benefit from a harmonious society. But it is sad that helping those in need has become increasingly risky, especially when those receiving aid are elderly.

In the latest case, Yin Hongbin from Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, was driving a coach when saw an old lady lying on the ground with her ruined tricycle nearby on Aug 26. He stopped the coach by the roadside and came to the old lady's help. When he was sure she wasn't badly hurt, he entrusted her to one of her fellow villagers. And the old lady expressed her gratitude.

To the driver's surprise and outrage, the old lady's son later telephoned the traffic police, claiming that a coach had struck his mother and the driver had fled after the accident. The lady told the same story.

Yin is lucky that the video camera on his coach recorded his actions and one of the passengers verified his account. Though the old lady and her son thanked Yin after the police confirmed the facts, the incidence stirred public conscience.

What a terrible thing, that a good Samaritan must keep hard evidence before extending a helping hand to make sure that he or she will not be wronged.

Another driver Xu Yunhe in Tianjin was not so lucky. He said that he helped an old lady, who had fallen while climbing over some railings. He sent her to hospital but was later brought to court by the lady, who claimed his car had hit her. Although traffic police tested Xu's car and found no evidence that it had struck the old lady, the verdict of the first instance ordered Xu to pay her 100,000 yuan ($15,400) in compensation saying there was the possibility that the old lady fell for fear of being struck by the approaching car. Xu has appealed the decision.

In another case in Nanjing in 2006, a young man helped an old lady who later took him to court, where he was ordered to pay more than 40,000 yuan in compensation.

As a result of such greed and selfishness, many have come to the conclusion that people should think twice before rushing to the help of anyone in need, elderly people in particular.

Obviously, some people's lack of conscience and basic morals is making things hard for good Samaritans and turning this society into one where anyone in need will be unable to expect help from others. There have been instances of elderly people who fell, and were surrounded by passers-by without anyone extending a helping hand.

It is high time that those who attempt blackmail be punished and good Samaritans rewarded.

(China Daily 09/02/2011 page8)