'She's my nanna': Twist in viral photo of elderly train passenger
It was the photo that sparked a vigorous debate about respect for the elderly – but an apparent family member says there’s more than meets the eye.
Standing hunched over on a Sydney train as other commuters scroll through their phones, the confronting image of an elderly woman drew mixed reactions when it surfaced online over the weekend.
However, a man claiming to be her grandson has now stepped forward to set the record straight.
According to 2GB host Ben Fordham, the man had written a statement into the show saying that his grandma was in fact planning to get off at the next stop.
“The mature age lady was preparing to disembark at the next station – she’s my nanna,” the man wrote to the station.
Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Howard Collins told 2GB that it just goes to show that a picture can be deceiving.
“A picture, whilst it might tell you a thousand words, sometimes it might be the wrong words,” he said.
Regardless of the story behind the viral photo, Mr Collins said the imagery serves as a timely reminder to ensure that those who need a seat the most are taken care of.
“Don’t wait to be asked, get up and make space for those who need it,” he added.
The photo sparked debate when it was shared by Daniel Williams to a Bondi Local Loop community Facebook group.
“No consideration for the elderly at all,” one woman wrote in response to the post.
“If nobody offered that’s s***, but they may have offered,” another suggested.
It was also shared on Facebook page Aussie Aussie Aussie Aussie with more than 21,000 shares and thousands of emotionally-charged comments.
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