Beijing loses firefighter during flood rescue

Feng Zhen, 31, a firefighter in Beijing, died while rescuing a resident trapped in the rainstorm that swept Beijing on Monday, according to the National Fire and Rescue Administration.

Around noon on Monday, when Feng and his colleagues were heading to an automobile trade market where three people were trapped in flood, they encountered a person who was trapped in the swift currents of a flash flood, asking them for help. Team leader Feng ordered an immediate stop and organized the rescue.

With a rope connected to the vehicle, he and his team members, wearing life jackets, approached the trapped individual amid the raging flood waters. Due to a sudden surge in the flood, one team member was swept away. Feng, regardless of his own safety, pushed his colleague to a safe area. In the end, both the trapped person and the rescue team members were safely evacuated. However, due to physical exhaustion, Feng was washed away.

He was found about 1 kilometer downstream and sent to hospital. However, after more than 5 hours of treatment, at 6:22 pm, Feng passed away.

Feng, a member of the Communist Party of China, became a firefighter and rescue worker in 2009. He was leader of the first special duty team at the Bei'anhe Firefighting and Rescue Station in Haidian district.

He has participated in over 3,500 firefighting and rescue missions, and saved more than 150 people. He received the third-class merit for outstanding performance twice and was commended four times. The administration said he was dedicated to grassroots work and performed his duty faithfully.

"In critical moments when the lives and property of the people are threatened, he feared no danger and was not afraid to sacrifice. He has always fought on the frontline of firefighting and rescue operations," said a notice released by the administration.