He knew exactly what to do.
An elderly man’s life was saved by a stranger who just happened to be a budding idol.
On August 21, the man collapsed at a Tokyo subway station after suffering an undisclosed medical emergency. From the crowd of onlookers, a 27-year-old woman suddenly emerged and used her previous medical training to help the man until he could be transported to a hospital.
The woman in question, Maika Kitamurais a member of NEO trendya J-Pop girl group that debuted on June 15.
However, before debuting as a member of NEO à la mode, Maika Kitamura worked in the medical field for three years.
In a video taken at the scene, Maika Kitamura can be seen checking the elderly man’s pulse and asking him to squeeze her hand to help him stay conscious. She also instructed the station staff members that the man needed to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
Emergency measures 🚉 photo.twitter.com/I7dIMPpuPd
— Shinmeimei Minghui (三剣真ichi) (@AKIRASHINMEI02) August 21, 2024
“During traumatic times, it can be natural to feel helpless,” Kitamura said. “However, having the courage to call someone can help save a person’s life. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the many people who supported me and allowed me to transfer the patient to the emergency room and hospital.”
The viral video of Kitamura helping the man has racked up nearly 20 million views on X. After the incident, Kitamura said Fuji Television who ran into the man on her way home from a group workout. Although asked, she chose not to publicly disclose details about the man’s medical condition out of respect for his privacy.
Emergency measures 🚉 photo.twitter.com/I7dIMPpuPd
— Shinmeimei Minghui (三剣真ichi) (@AKIRASHINMEI02) August 21, 2024