2009 top ten news

Top 10 heart-warming moments 2009

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-17 13:56

4. Bus driver Xie Erxi

Bus driver Xie Erxi collapses behind the wheel in Nanjing on Nov. 19, 2009. [zgjtb.com]

Bus No. 46 travelled through east China's Nanjing, north to south, back and forth. It was a routine for driver Xie Erxi, nothing unusual, until he collapsed behind the wheel on Nov. 19 due to a cerebral hemorrhage, which happened out of the blue.

He was losing control of his body no slower than the blue-streak bus. Over 50 passengers were on board.

He could barely move or call for help in the few seconds before complete coma, but in struggle he did three things that defied belief and helped to save the lives of the passengers on board and and on the street.

He stepped on the brake, switched open the door, and turned on the rear lights.

The next time he opened his eyes, he was laying on the hospital bed, showered in avalanches of praise and media attention. The municipal labor union presented him with a Worker's Medal on Dec. 4 as the news came in that Xie regained consciousness, though still unable to talk.