Refer China: Bulldozer Hero saves over 100 flood victims during heavy rain

-

A Beijing man has earned the nickname "bulldozer hero" after he used his digger to rescue more than 100 people from heavy rainfall and floods.

China's capital and its neighbouring provinces suffered heavy rainfall in the past week, which reportedly took 30 lives.

A Chinese man rescued more than 100 flood victims using a digger during heavy rain in Beijing, earning him the title

Beijing Daily reported that the rainfall lasted 147 hours, during which the city received 40 per cent of its annual precipitation.

As the total amount of rain was increasing to more than 300 millimetres in Beijing's Miyun County, the government sent rescuers to evacuate residents.

Wang used the mechanical bucket of his bulldozer to carry flood victims to safety. Photo: handout On July 28, Wang Tianyu, the 35-year-old owner of a construction company, was woken up by a phone call from his friend, seeking his help to save his elderly family who were trapped in a village.

Wang immediately drove his company's bulldozer to the village and picked up his friend, street vendor Wang Chong, on the way.

Wang said the water level in the village was at least a metre high.

-ad

The pair picked up villagers they saw along the way. Many climbed to rooftops, and they lifted the bulldozer's arm and caught them with the bucket.

Wang said they carried more than 100 people with the bulldozer; the biggest group was of 10 people at one time, and at least two people each time.

They also worked with firefighters, carrying them around the flooded area to assess the situation.

Beijing was hit by 147 hours of rain which dumped 40 per cent of the city's annual precipitation on the city. Photo: handout

While firefighters tried to save villagers, they were stopped by the rapidly flowing water. Wang also volunteered to stop the torrents momentarily with the bulldozer's bucket, buying time for the firefighters.

A fire station chief, Zang Hui, said the bulldozer had done them a big favour, allowing them to evacuate many people in time.

Wang said he was scared after the rescue because his bulldozer almost got washed away by the flood several times. The water also flowed into the driver's cabin.

He worked nonstop from 6am to 7pm that day. Like him, many parts of his bulldozer were worn out.

Wang Tianyu has been named "bulldozer hero" for his deeds.

Wang Chong said they saw at least another 15 bulldozers in the village that helped with the rescue.

Source :

Editor: Crystal H