Foreigners' tire blowout during trip praised police as 'very good'

Police in Tongxiao received a report of a breakdown on the elevated section of the West Coast Expressway (Provincial Highway 61) in Tongxiao. When officers arrived at the scene, helpful bystanders were also assisting with the tire change. (Photo: Li Jialing)

On the afternoon of the 18th, the Tongxiao Police Precinct in Miaoli County received a report that a passenger vehicle had broken down on the elevated section of the West Coast Expressway (Provincial Highway 61) in Tongxiao. Upon arrival, police found a Canadian couple who had rented a car in Taipei that day and were starting a four-day road trip heading south—only to encounter a flat tire on the first day.

Police stated that the Canadian couple was on a four-day self-guided tour in Taiwan. On the first day, after renting a car in Taipei, they were driving south when the left front tire suddenly blew out on the elevated section of the West Coast Expressway in Tongxiao. Passersby who noticed the two foreigners standing by the roadside quickly called the police for assistance.

When police arrived, a kind-hearted bystander, who spoke fluent English, helped communicate with the foreigners and also assisted the officers in changing the tire. The Canadian couple said that although they encountered trouble on the first day of their trip, they were fortunate to receive help from both the public and the police. They added that Taiwan not only has beautiful scenery, but the police are also very good (very good)!