YouTuber Park Wi expresses anger after wheelchair fall at KTX platform

YouTuber Park Wi has revealed that he suffered a fall while using a wheelchair at a KTX platform. While he fortunately avoided major injuries, he emphasized the critical need for safe mobility environments, noting that his physical condition—characterized by significantly diminished sensation—means even a minor accident could lead to severe aftereffects.

On the 21st, a video titled 'The Reason I Am Releasing CCTV Footage' was posted to Park Wi's YouTube channel. Park, who was traveling via KTX to give a lecture, stated that the unexpected accident occurred while he was descending a platform ramp after disembarking the train.

“I was sliding down, and suddenly a foot appeared in front of my eyes,” Park explained. “The moment I saw the foot, my wheelchair wheel got caught on it, and my body was thrown forward onto the ground.”

The released CCTV footage captures the moment Park was moving along the ramp when his rear wheel caught on the foot of a pedestrian ahead, throwing him forward. It appears Park managed to mitigate the impact by instinctively reaching out his arms to brace himself against the floor.

Immediately following the accident, Park confessed to feeling intense anger and fear. “To be honest, I was so angry. My mind was racing with so many thoughts, but I was already lying on the floor,” he said. “It was a terrifying situation.”

There is a significant physical reason why Park viewed the accident with such gravity. “I am gradually losing sensation below my collarbone, and for my lower body, you can essentially assume there is almost no sensation at all,” he stated. “What is most terrifying is not knowing if I have a fracture or a crack.”

During the accident, Park's knee hit the ground as he fell sideways, making it difficult to immediately assess the extent of his injuries. He added, “In the 12 years since my injury, I have never fallen from such a height.”

While Park acknowledged that the pedestrian did not cause the accident intentionally, he pointed out that placing a foot on the ramp was inherently dangerous. “It wasn't done with malicious intent, but I was so angry that a foot was placed on the ramp,” he said. “The person also politely apologized, but in that moment, I couldn't accept it.”

He continued, “It would have been truly terrifying if I had fallen and been seriously injured. I really want to appeal that a single mistake can lead to a major accident.”

Following the incident, Park visited a hospital for an examination. While he continues to experience back pain, no fractures were found, though further observation is required.

“If I hadn't reached out my arms, I might have fallen on my head,” he remarked. “If another part of my body had been fractured, I might have been forced to spend my time lying down, unable to do anything.”

Park has used a wheelchair since being diagnosed with quadriplegia following a past accident. Since then, he has consistently advocated for the mobility rights of people with disabilities and improved accessibility in daily life. This incident serves as a stark example of how crucial safety regulations are in spaces used by wheelchair users, moving beyond a matter of individual negligence.

“It is true that getting around has become much more convenient than before,” he said, “but even so, I believe unsafe environments still need to be improved.” He explained that the release of the CCTV footage is not intended to criticize a specific individual, but to ensure that similar accidents do not recur.