Taipei Knife Attack: Hero Dies Saving Others From Heart Wound

A good Samaritan died while attempting to stop a knife attack in Taipei on Friday that left three people dead and at least 11 injured. The attacker, 27-year-old Chang Wen, used smoke grenades during the rampage through a central Taipei area.

Taipei Knife Attack: One Victim Attempted to Intervene

The 57-year-old man, surnamed Yu, tried to subdue Chang but sustained a 5cm-deep wound extending from his right lung to the left atrium of his heart, according to National Taiwan University Hospital. He was later pronounced dead.

Yu’s family will receive at least NT$5 million (S$205,000) through insurance coverage provided by Taipei Rapid Transit Corp.

Authorities have established a support system offering psychological counseling and legal consultation to those injured and the families of the deceased. A lawyer will be assigned to each affected party to assist with insurance claims and compensation.

A witness recounted seeing a victim collapse during the attack. The victim, while being assisted, reportedly told the witness to tell their parents, “Remember to tell my parents that I love them.” The witness later relayed this message to the victim’s relatives after being contacted by their colleagues.

Government Response and Health Concerns

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated on Dec. 20 that the government will increase police presence in crowded areas and ensure swift responses to disturbances.

Health officials are urging anyone wounded during the attack, or who came into contact with blood, to get tested for HIV after one of the injured individuals was found to be HIV-positive.

Taiwan’s Centres for Disease Control (CDC) deputy director-general Philip Lo noted that the risk of infection from blood exposure is generally low – less than 0.01 percent – citing a 2006 Berlin stabbing incident where preventative measures prevented infection in exposed individuals.

Dr. Lo explained that the HIV-positive victim is undergoing regular medication to control the virus, resulting in a low viral load and reduced transmission risk. However, the possibility of exposure through the attacker’s weapon cannot be ruled out.

The CDC has initiated a program to provide preventative treatment (PrEP) to those potentially exposed. Individuals who were wounded or came into contact with blood are encouraged to contact the CDC hotline for evaluation and, if necessary, receive PrEP within 72 hours of exposure.