Being in the right place at the right time can be a matter of life and death. During a 100-kilometer cross-country race in Gansu province, China, an unexpected ice storm struck, endangering the lives of many runners. Zhu Keming, a local shepherd, faced the harsh conditions to rescue six participants, three men and three women.
On the day of the race, temperatures were mild as Zhu tended to his sheep. However, the weather quickly deteriorated, plunging into freezing temperatures accompanied by sleet and hail. Seeking shelter, Zhu took refuge in a cave where he had stored emergency supplies. From this vantage point, he spotted a runner in distress, appearing immobilized and disoriented.
Zhu brought the distressed runner to the cave, where he lit a fire to warm him up. After ensuring the man was safe, Zhu returned to help five more runners find shelter. His actions were undoubtedly lifesaving, as many participants were inadequately dressed for the sudden cold, with lightweight clothing that left them vulnerable to hypothermia. Tragically, 21 out of the 172 athletes succumbed to the storm.
One of the rescued runners, Zhang Xiaotao, expressed his gratitude on Weibo, stating, “Without him, I would have been left out there.” Despite the acclaim, Zhu remains humble, insisting he is “just an ordinary person who did a very ordinary thing.” However, the athletes he saved, their families, and many others recognize the extraordinary nature of his courage and timely actions in a life-threatening situation.
If there’s ever anything right you could do to help a fellow, just do it.