Horizontal bar incident spins into online controversy

The horizontal bar is one of the most popular sports among the elderly in China. However, a recent accident in Beijing that caused both the exerciser and a passer-by to be injured sparked controversy on social media.

An elderly man who was performing complete swings on a horizontal bar collided with a little girl who happened to run past in the capital's Ditan Park on February 24, btime reported.

The girl was knocked to the ground after the collision, and was rushed to hospital where doctors said her injuries were not life threatening.

The girl's parents called police who are investigating the case.

After the video of the incident spread online, netizens have divided opinions over whom to blame.

Some thought the girl's parents should take responsibility. One netizen said, "Parents should keep their child in sight and not allow her to run about in the public." Another added, "The parents didn't take good care of their child as they obviously should have seen the man spinning around the bar repeatedly."

Others believed the elderly man's movement is the main cause of the accident. "It's improper for the elderly man to do exercises with such a wide range in a place where children also play," a netizen remarked.

There were also some people who said both sides should share the responsibility. "Both of them failed to be careful in the incident. It's not the fault of only one party," one commented.

A horizontal bar lover, surnamed Li, said that the elderly man in the incident, surnamed Xie, is famous among local bar lovers and has played horizontal bar for several years. He also fell from the bar after the collision but didn't suffer serious injury.

"This is a rare occurrence in skilled exercisers," Li added. "This is the first time we witnessed a case that led to injury."

Li said the park didn't limit them from doing big actions on the horizontal bar. In this case, both the parents and Xie should take certain responsibility as both sides should ensure the safety of others. "It should be a lesson for both of them."