Teacher injured in heroic act thanks well-wishers

HARBIN - A self-sacrificing teacher who was severely injured in pushing two students out of the way of an onrushing bus in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province earlier this month has thanked well-wishers upon regaining consciousness in hospital.

Zhang Lili, whose legs have had to be amputated after she was run over by the bus, hoarsely voiced, "Thanks, thank you all" to people surrounding her hospital bed and the many who have donated funds for her treatment, doctors said on Friday.

Zhang regained consciousness on Tuesday, according to doctors at Heilongjiang's First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, where she is being treated. They were confident enough in her health to turn off Zhang's respirator on Thursday, but warned she was still in a critical condition due to complications in treatment.

These have included an infection, bruising and toxin absorption caused by muscle necrosis, said Dr. Zhao Mingyan, director of the hospital's intensive care unit.

More surgery may be necessary, added Zhao.

Zhang, a  29-year-old teacher at the No 19 middle school in the city of Jiamusi, performed her heroic and selfless act when crossing the road in front of the school gate at 8:38 pm on May 8.

A total of 2.75 million yuan ($434,654) has been donated for her cause as of 4 pm on Thursday, according to Jiamusi's charity federation.