Teacher injured saving students improving
By Cai Wenjun |
May 17, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ZHANG Lili, a 29-year-old teacher who lost both legs after shielding students from an out-of-control bus last week, regained consciousness and could communicate with medical staff with her eyes, doctors said yesterday.
While Zhang, a teacher at Jiamusi No.19 Middle School in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, was improving, she remained in critical condition. Complications could still pose a danger, according to doctors who spoke at a news conference held by medical experts from Heilongjiang and the Ministry of Health yesterday.
"She can open her eyes if we call her name and can understand us and follow our directions by blinking her eyes, nodding her head or squeezing our hands. It is a good improvement," said Dr Zhao Mingyan, director of No. 1 Hospital, affiliated with Harbin Medical University's intensive care unit.
Zhao said doctors are keeping Zhang sedated. She also had major fractures of her lumbar vertebrae and pelvis.
Doctors said they will try to remove a respirator gradually to help Zhang breathe by herself and control complications in the next stage of treatment.
The ministry sent experts to Heilongjiang to help with Zhang's treatment after her story was publicized. Commenters began calling her "the most beautiful teacher."
She has been honored by the central and provincial governments for her bravery and love of students. Students said they were not surprised by Zhang's actions - she escorted them across the road every day and had put herself in harm's way before to protect students.
The accident a week ago Tuesday happened as a van and two buses waited in line at the school to take students home.
The bus at the end lurched forward suddenly and hit the other bus, pushing it toward the van and a car in the opposite lane just as several students were passing between the van and the bus.
Zhang was knocked down after pulling them to safety and the bus ran over her legs.
The driver who caused the accident was detained, police said. An initial investigation found she was talking to others while starting the engine. Her leg touched the controls unintentionally, making the bus jump.
Zhang's legs were amputated in a Jiamusi hospital and she was transferred to the hospital in Harbin over the weekend.
While Zhang, a teacher at Jiamusi No.19 Middle School in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, was improving, she remained in critical condition. Complications could still pose a danger, according to doctors who spoke at a news conference held by medical experts from Heilongjiang and the Ministry of Health yesterday.
"She can open her eyes if we call her name and can understand us and follow our directions by blinking her eyes, nodding her head or squeezing our hands. It is a good improvement," said Dr Zhao Mingyan, director of No. 1 Hospital, affiliated with Harbin Medical University's intensive care unit.
Zhao said doctors are keeping Zhang sedated. She also had major fractures of her lumbar vertebrae and pelvis.
Doctors said they will try to remove a respirator gradually to help Zhang breathe by herself and control complications in the next stage of treatment.
The ministry sent experts to Heilongjiang to help with Zhang's treatment after her story was publicized. Commenters began calling her "the most beautiful teacher."
She has been honored by the central and provincial governments for her bravery and love of students. Students said they were not surprised by Zhang's actions - she escorted them across the road every day and had put herself in harm's way before to protect students.
The accident a week ago Tuesday happened as a van and two buses waited in line at the school to take students home.
The bus at the end lurched forward suddenly and hit the other bus, pushing it toward the van and a car in the opposite lane just as several students were passing between the van and the bus.
Zhang was knocked down after pulling them to safety and the bus ran over her legs.
The driver who caused the accident was detained, police said. An initial investigation found she was talking to others while starting the engine. Her leg touched the controls unintentionally, making the bus jump.
Zhang's legs were amputated in a Jiamusi hospital and she was transferred to the hospital in Harbin over the weekend.
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