That it can. Lived here all of my 50+ years. Just when you're about to give up on New Yorkers, you hear a story like this. Then again, it's not any NYers that would come to the aid of their fellow man or woman. For example, I doubt a so-called "Hipster" would ever jump a help anyone in a situation like this. At most, they'll probably film it on their cellphone. Then post it on some social media site.
My experience in NYC is that people always come to the aid of someone in distress. I’ve never seen it fail. The only time I’ve seen personal responsibility fail was in Los Angeles once and London once.
I’ve never, ever seen a New Yorker walk by a person in distress and ignore it. Never. I have many lovely memories of NYers picking sick people up from the sidewalk, waiting by the side of an auto accident, etc. These are the same people who refuse to acknowledge you when you pass them by in the halls of an apartment building! Go figure!