Whatever happened to the heroes?

WHEN OFF-DUTY fireman Chiu Shun-on went missing last month after trying to rescue a drowning teenager in rough seas off Sai Kung, his 13-year-old son prayed for him on the shore and was proud of his father's heroism. Many Hong Kong people were touched by the firefighter's courage. The boy he tried to save, Wong Wing-nam, also drowned. But the 15-year-old's parents were full of praise for Chiu, describing him as a hero who had been prepared to sacrifice his life in a bid to save their son.

Paying his last respects to Chiu on Thursday, the night before the fireman's funeral, Wong's father, Wong Kam-bo, said: 'Hong Kong has fewer and fewer good men like Mr Chiu.'

The senior fireman joins the ranks of Hong Kong people who have demonstrated heroism and self-sacrifice. Other recent examples include two teachers who helped students escape the Pat Sin Leng fire in 1996 and a man who saved two drowning brothers in a nullah at Quarry Bay in 1998.

But what role do heroes play in Hong Kong society, where people are often regarded as being selfish and concerned only with their own interests? How are heroes treated, and what can we learn from their deeds?

Educators say such local heroes play an important role in society, by setting a good example to others. The Government is also keen to recognise their courage. Chiu was given the honour of being buried at Gallant Garden, Wo Hop Shek, normally reserved for civil servants who die in the line of duty. An SAR flag was draped over his coffin.

There has also been talk of the fireman being given a posthumous award. Since the 1997 handover, 32 people have received Medals for Bravery awarded by the SAR Government. There have been awards of seven gold medals, seven silver and 18 bronze.

Members of the public and government departments can nominate candidates as long as two conditions are satisfied: the danger has to be known to the person taking the risk and the exposure to it must be voluntary.

Raymond Wu Wai-yung, member of the Honours Committee which selects the recipients, said the Bravery Medal was a significant symbol of how Hong Kong valued acts of selfless courage, particularly because many Hong Kong people appeared indifferent to the suffering of others.

'It is part of our culture that we do not do something that might harm our own interests. Someone may criticise me for making such a comment, but we have to admit that,' Dr Wu said.

There have even been occasions when people have turned a blind eye to those in need of help. In 1995, a woman revealed in court how she was raped by four men after passersby ignored her cries for help as she was attacked in an MTR station. The woman said several people walked by, but no one came to her aid. The police have also often complained about witnesses to crimes refusing to come forward.

Dr Wu said he hoped the awards would help educate the community and change selfish attitudes 'although I know the impact could be very small'.

Paul Lee Kit-kong, chairman of the Primary Education Research Association, said stories of the actions of selfless people provided good material for teaching children morals.

Mr Lee said the SAR's teachers should spend more time discussing the virtues of heroism. He urged the Education Department to develop teaching materials towards that end.

'None of our textbooks mention local heroes. They only cover historical figures. But those stories are too distant from children in the modern world. The social context is so different now. If we discuss recent cases with them, students will be able to relate and understand more.'

He stressed teachers did not wish to attempt to turn children into heroes. 'Instead of just telling students to appreciate bravery, teachers should always remind students that they have to consider their own safety and ability to help others. If someone cannot swim, he should not jump into the sea to rescue a drowning person. It is pointless to sacrifice life out of emotion.'

Hui Wing-ho, principal of Fung Yiu King Memorial Secondary School, said its two teachers who died in the Pat Sin Leng fire marked an important chapter of the school history. The teachers, Chau Chi-chai, 32, and Wong Sau-mei, 26, lost their lives while trying to save children trapped in the blaze. They died along with three students in the hillfire on February 10, 1996, during a school hiking trip.

On the anniversary of the accident, more than 50 staff and students from the school will visit the Spring Breeze Pavilion in Pat Sin Leng, built in memory of the two teachers. Every September, newly admitted students are told about the school's history during an orientation session.

The children of those involved in courageous acts appear to be particularly influenced by the example their parent has set. Father-of-three Lee Ying-kwong was washed away by floodwaters when he tried to pull two boys from a nullah in Quarry Bay on June 9, 1998. His son, Lee Kwok-hung, told the press after the incident: 'I will follow in my father's spirit of helping others.'

Clinical psychologist Annie Ho Nim-chee said deeds of heroism showed that human nature leaned towards love and care. 'Some people get great satisfaction from helping others. They put aside their own interests.' But she warned being a hero was not all about glory. Those responsible for courageous acts in stressful circumstances often found it hard to recover from the trauma.

Some suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include deep feelings of guilt, grief after witnessing death, insomnia and flashbacks to the terrifying scenes. 'That is not uncommon among professionals, such as police officers and firemen. The stress can be so serious that they cannot handle it,' Ms Ho said.

Tam Ka-fat, 39, a hiker who risked his life to save children from the Pat Sin Leng blaze, is a tragic example. He later burned himself to death after being traumatised by memories of the hillfire. The suicide came just weeks after he told an inquest how he had carried a teenager from the path of the fire. The girl had died in hospital.

Ms Ho said people plagued by feelings of guilt after failing in an attempt to save someone's life should realise their limitations. 'They should be reminded of what they have achieved instead of just blaming themselves for what they have failed to achieve.'

Paralympic gold medallist fencer Benny Cheung Wai-leung, a fireman who lost his left leg in 1983 when he tried to rescue an elderly woman from a mudslide, also had a difficult time after the incident.

Mr Cheung recalled how he arrived in Western District to help the residents there when the Signal 10 typhoon signal was hoisted. He said the rope tied to his body was too short to reach an elderly woman shouting for help. He then decided to release the rope and tried to reach her. 'But suddenly, there was a mudslide again. I was pushed down to the waterfront. My leg was trapped in the rocks. I was unable to breath under the waves,' he said. The elderly woman died.

After the accident, Mr Cheung was fitted with an artificial leg. But it took about three years for him to overcome his fear of the sea. 'I did not swim for three years. Then I started swimming in a pool, and finally I went back to the sea.'

He also said it took him a few years to overcome the frustration of being a person with disability. But he added: 'The accident has happened, and I accept it as part of my life experience. I will not blame anyone. No one can predict the power of nature.'

Yuen Fong-him, chairman of the 5,000-member Fire Services General Staff Association, agreed that some people, such as firemen, had a stronger urge to help others during an emergency. 'Our job is to rescue, and our training reminds us to consider our own safety. However, in some situations, there is no time to think, because even one second counts. If we miss the chance to get to the rescue, we may not have another chance.'

Mr Yuen said he felt sad that his friend Chiu Shun-on died in the latest tragedy. 'Some of his other colleagues and I have reviewed the case, and we think that he made the right decision at that moment.

'An accident is an accident; there can always be something unexpected.'

Ella Lee ([email protected]) is a staff writer for the Post's Editorial Pages