TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chiang Yung-en (江詠恩), a student at Kaohsiung Municipal Fongshan Junior High School, was honored after he stepped in to help an elderly man cross a busy road.

Chiang got off his bicycle and walked beside the man to shield him from traffic Tuesday on Zhongshan East Road in Kaohsiung’s Fongshan District, CNA reported. A driver’s dashcam captured the moment and the video quickly spread across social media.

Viewers praised the student for slowing traffic and making sure the elderly passerby crossed the intersection safely, according to UDN. The clip picked up tens of thousands of likes and shares within hours.

“I saw the man moving slowly in the road and worried he would not make it across before traffic picked up,” Chiang said. He said he did not stop to think and simply walked his bike close to the man until they reached the median.

After learning about the video, the school publicly praised Chiang and awarded him a certificate and cash prize. Teachers said the act showed empathy in action and hoped it would inspire other students, per SETN.

Principal Lin Chi-ling (林季玲) said Chiang acted out of concern rather than a desire for attention. She said seeing a student turn classroom lessons about empathy into real-life action was a meaningful moment for the school.