Knocked Down While Skiing Alone and Unable to Move – Joanne Peh: Couldn’t Find Qi Yuwu, in Pain and Scared

Joanne Peh was recently knocked down while skiing in Xinjiang, injuring her leg so badly she couldn’t stand up, and her husband Qi Yuwu was not by her side, leaving her feeling flustered. Having safely returned to Singapore on January 30, she spoke with Lianhe Zaobao over the phone at noon on the 31st, saying that after being examined at a local hospital, no major bone injury was found, but ligaments on the left, right, and central cross were all injured and there was bruising. The doctor instructed her to rest for at least a month and to avoid unnecessary movement.

Joanne Peh is a novice skier; she tried skiing for the first time in March 2025. She and Qi Yuwu recently went to Altay, Xinjiang to ski. After receiving two days of ski lessons, she was skiing alone on a beginner slope on the third day when she was knocked down by a snowboarder. Since her ski boots were fixed to the skis, she lost her balance and fell awkwardly, injuring her right knee.

“I was in pain and panicked at the time—I just didn’t know how to react because I’d never encountered something like that before. I tried to stand, but completely collapsed—I knew I wouldn’t be able to ski down the mountain. The person who knocked me down and her coach helped me to the side and contacted the ski resort's emergency unit. But before the rescue team arrived, they just left after giving me their WeChat (account).”

In the freezing cold, Joanne waited alone for emergency help to arrive. She called her husband many times but couldn’t reach him—not only scared and flustered, but also worried that something may have happened to him.

Shortly after the ski resort’s emergency staff brought her to the first aid room, Qi Yuwu came rushing in. “He saw me and immediately asked what happened, and I asked him how he knew I was there. Turns out he didn’t have his phone on him. When he didn’t see me at the bottom of the slope, he took the cable car back up to look for me, and saw the emergency team bringing someone down. He recognized my clothes and rushed down on skis to find me.”

The couple were both panicked at the time, but now when Joanne talks about their dramatic “reunion,” she laughs: “He said that was the fastest and best skiing he’s ever done.”

Joanne was later taken by ambulance to hospital, but the unfamiliar environment left her feeling helpless. The local outpatient procedures were unlike the orderly system back home. With her injured leg in pain, waiting for treatment was extremely stressful. She completed X-rays and MRI scans; the doctor said it was a serious injury. Luckily, her bone was fine, and since the incident happened toward the end of their trip, she could return home as planned—although she has to wear a knee brace for the next month, limit movement and use crutches.

Having an accident while traveling abroad, Joanne was grateful to those who helped her and felt warmed by their kindness. In contrast, the person at fault left in a hurry after giving only a WeChat contact. After being examined and treated at the local hospital, she updated the person responsible via WeChat, only to receive a reply: “Well, you have insurance anyway.”

She sighed helplessly: “It’s common to have accidents while skiing, but since I hadn’t experienced one before, I didn’t know what to do. It’s not like a traffic accident, where I know the process. (Having an accident abroad) really makes the victims suffer, while the person who hit you easily gets away, not even bothering to go to the hospital.”

Joanne was happily traveling but ended up suffering unnecessary physical pain and mental stress—and now possibly has no way to seek redress. She regrets not handling things properly at the time because she panicked, hoping others can learn from her experience, and joking: “Don’t be as silly as I was.”

She reminds everyone that if you encounter an accident, be sure to make a record, such as taking photos or making a police report. Using her own skiing accident as an example, she said that even if the person responsible apologizes and travel insurance can pay out, the responsible party should bear some responsibility, like accompanying the injured person to the hospital, providing assistance, and understanding the injury.

Because of her left knee injury, Joanne currently has mobility challenges and plans to see a local doctor next Monday. Having to constantly wear a knee brace, she jokes: “It was fine in Xinjiang because the weather was cold, but in Singapore’s weather it gets a bit itchy. Luckily, Altay Airport isn’t big—I used to easily walk that distance, but with crutches, it’s really tough.”

A sports lover, she expects to be immobile for the next month. She comforts herself: “I’m looking at the long-term—if I endure this now, I can make sure there won’t be any long-term effects.”