Student rider praised for helping ambulance through gridlocked traffic in Malaysia

A university student who helped clear a path for an ambulance through heavy traffic in Malaysia's Pahang state has received widespread praise after footage of the incident went viral on social media, drawing more than 1.5 million views and 58,600 likes since it was posted.

The video showed Tuan Nurhan Syafiy Tuan Nor Azham Shah, 23, stopping his motorcycle and directing motorists to move aside so an ambulance carrying a patient could pass through a congested stretch of road on Jalan Gambang-Kuantan.

Speaking to New Straits Times (NST), Tuan said he was simply acting on values instilled by his mother and a desire to avoid repeating a past regret.

Tuan said the incident occurred at about 5.15pm while he was returning to his hostel after attending drone operation training at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

Traffic was heavily congested and he had intended to stop at a nearby petrol station to refuel when he noticed the ambulance travelling along the same route.

"An ambulance was travelling along the same road. Initially, I did not think of helping, but when I saw the driver's anxious expression, I felt compelled to act.

"There were no vehicles giving way, and traffic was particularly heavy because it was peak hour.

"I stopped my motorcycle and signalled motorists to move aside so the ambulance could get through," he said.

Tuan said other road users cooperated with his efforts, allowing the ambulance to continue its journey.

"To be honest, I cried while accompanying the ambulance and prayed that the patient would arrive safely at the hospital.

"Everything seemed to fall into place. Even the traffic lights turned green, allowing us to move through the congestion more quickly.

"It was rewarding to help because I had once been in a similar situation but did not act. Later, I learned that the patient in that ambulance had died, and he was the father of a friend of mine.

"That experience stayed with me. I did not want to live with the same regret a second time, even though I had previously feared being misunderstood," he said.

Doctor's message of gratitude

The footage was later shared on Threads by a doctor who was inside the ambulance.

In the post, the doctor thanked the rider for escorting the emergency vehicle from Jaya Gading to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), saying the patient's safe arrival at the hospital's red zone was made possible despite severe traffic conditions.

"Because of your help, the patient managed to arrive safely at the HTAA red zone despite the traffic chaos," the doctor wrote, while also offering prayers that the student's affairs would be eased in return for helping the medical team and patient.

Tuan told NST that he only discovered the post after the video gained traction online.

"The doctor contacted me through Threads after the video gained attention.

"I only did what I could, but many people offered prayers and words of encouragement. I am truly grateful.

"Perhaps their prayers will help me stay strong and succeed in my final semester, which is packed with projects and assignments," he said.

View on Threads

Inspired by family and community service

The second of three siblings said he was surprised by the popularity of the video but touched by the positive reactions it received online.

Tuan, a final-year Bachelor of Visual Arts student at a private higher education institution, said he hoped to visit the patient if given the opportunity and would continue helping those in need whenever possible.

After completing his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), he became active in a non-governmental organisation involved in welfare and community work.

"The NGO's motto is that every successful Muslim should benefit others. That is a principle I continue to uphold.

"My mother is a nurse who has spent her life helping people, and she has always been my role model," he said.

Reflecting on the incident, Tuan said his actions were guided by a simple lesson from his mother: to make life easier for others whenever possible.