Thousands flee Jiangxi floods

Rescuers escort villagers to safety on Tuesday in Xiaba, a village in Guizhou province that has been left submerged by consecutive heavy downpours. [Photo by Ke Youchuan/Asianewsphoto]

Hero, 2 others die in rescue attempt

About 100,000 people lined the street in the county seat of Liping, Guizhou province, on Monday to bid farewell to Liu Shanping, a grassroots Party chief who lost his life while trying to save two fellow villagers.

In the early hours of June 10, Jiuchao town in Liping was flooded, and Liu, head of Qiuchao village, received a desperate call from Wu Bingzhi, another resident, for help, as Wu and his daughter were stranded in their house by floodwaters.

Liu managed to get near the home, along with 16 other villagers, and planned a daring rescue.

Another resident wanted to help, but Liu told him to stay away because the man was an only son. Liu had a brother who could take care of his own family if he perished in the rescue attempt, Liu told the man.

Liu waded into the rushing water with one end of a rope tied to his waist and the other held by residents. He managed to reach Wu's house and Wu's daughter climbed onto his back.

As he was returning, the flood rose dramatically and washed away the pair, and then Wu. All three died.

Liu's body was discovered on Saturday evening, two days after the bodies of the father and daughter were found. Cremation took place on Monday.

As Liu's body was carried to the cremation, the way was lined by some 100,000 people with banners, calling him a hero, guardian of the village and a good Party chief.