A 13-year-old girl In China saved a four-year-old boy who had fallen into an icy hole on a lake then left the scene quietly after the rescue. - Photo: Douyin
BEIJING: A 13-year-old girl in China has been dubbed a “little hero” after risking her life to save a four-year-old boy who fell into a frozen lake.
The incident unfolded on Dec 6, in a park in Tongxin county, Ningxia Hui autonomous region in northwestern China.
The boy was playing on the surface of the frozen lake when he suddenly plunged into a hole, the Jimu News reported.
As his anxious and terrified mother stood on the bank waiting for rescue crews to arrive, a young girl approached her and offered to help.
“Auntie, I am rather light. Let me go down to save him,” the girl told the woman.
Then she took a pipe passed to her by some residents and crawled onto the surface of the ice.
However, the girl also sank into the freezing water when a section of ice shattered.
Fortunately, firefighters arrived and immediately plucked both youngsters from the icy water.
Li as a younger girl visiting a local fire station. She was impressed by the bravery of the firefighters there. - Photo: Baidu
The firefighters gave the girl a blanket because temperatures had plunged to minus five degrees Celsius.
Before long, the girl left the scene without telling anyone her name or other personal information.
A photograph of the girl taken by a passer-by went viral on mainland social media, prompting local internet users to search for her and dub her a “little hero”.
The boy’s parents also hoped to find the girl to express their gratitude.
Eventually, she was confirmed to be Li Jiating, a pupil at Tongxin County No 2 Middle School.
According to her father, when his daughter returned home that day, she sat by a stove to warm herself because her clothes were soaking wet.
“When I asked her what happened to her, she just said she was near a watering cart which sprinkled water on her,” the father told the media.
Li and the little boy she went to help were pulled from the lake by rescue crews. - Photo: Baidu
He only discovered his daughter's act of bravery when he viewed posts about the incident online.
He said he felt relieved but added that his heart ached for his daughter.
“I am proud of my daughter. With the water freezing and the ice thin, she still dared to go to save a life without hesitation,” said the father.
His little girl is optimistic and always ready to help others. She was once taken to visit the local fire station and said she admired the brave firefighters.
“But I would like to remind her that next time, you must make sure of your own safety first before saving others,” said the father.
People on mainland social media were full of praise for the youngster.
“She is a beautiful girl with a kind heart,” said one online observer.
While another suggested: “The authorities should award her for her selfless and courageous deed.” - South China Morning Post
