Hero paralyzed trying to save boy honored 28 years later

By Li Qian | November 1, 2013, Friday |

Online Edition

A PARALYZED man who had broken his neck when he dived in to save a boy who was pretending to be drowning was officially honored for his heroic acts after 28 years.

Fang Junming of Wuhan, capital of central Hubei Province, was given an honorary title and 30,000 yuan (US$4,923) in cash by the city government yesterday afternoon, Changjiang Daily reported.

“It has been 28 years. I thank the Party and government for remembering me,” said Fang, who is in a wheelchair.

In 1985, the then 28-year-old Fang jumped into a river to save a boy he thought was drowning. While the boy was fine — he was playing a joke — Fang had fractured his cervical vertebrae after he hit a stone.

His wife left him and their newborn baby after staying with him at the hospital for five months. His mother cared for her paralyzed son and young granddaughter.

Fang’s heroic act wasn’t officially confirmed at the time because the boy’s family refused to testify. Following media reports, the factory where he worked offered him an extra stipend for nursing fees. That’s all the help he got.

The local government seemed to have forgotten him until a play based on his story was shown to the public in June. Community workers then started to help him collect documents and apply for the award.

Nation

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Hero paralyzed trying to save boy honored 28 years later

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