Shepherd hailed as hero after saving 6 runners
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Shepherd Zhu Keming showing a thermal insulation blanket in the cave where he sheltered the stricken athletes near the city of Baiyin, in China's north-western Gansu province. He regretted that he was unable to do more to help others who reportedly succumbed to hypothermia.
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
SHANGHAI • A shepherd has been hailed as a hero in China after it emerged that he saved six stricken runners during an ultramarathon in which 21 other competitors died.
Mr Zhu Keming was trending on the Twitter-like Weibo yesterday, three days after a 100km cross-country mountain race in the north-western province of Gansu turned deadly in freezing rain, high winds and hail.
The incident triggered outrage and mourning in China, as questions swirled over why organisers apparently ignored warnings about the incoming extreme weather.
Mr Zhu was grazing his sheep on Saturday around lunchtime when the wind picked up, the rain came down and temperatures plunged, he told state media.
He sought refuge in a cave where he had stored clothes and food for emergencies.
While inside, he spotted one of the race's 172 competitors and checked to see what was wrong because he was standing still, apparently suffering cramps. Mr Zhu escorted the man back to the cave, massaged his freezing hands and feet, lit a fire and dried his clothes.
Mr Zhu then headed outside once more and, braving hail and freezing temperatures, reached a runner lying on the ground. He carried him towards the shelter and wrapped him in blankets, almost certainly saving his life.
Mr Zhu has been feted in China for his selfless actions, but the shepherd told state media that he is "just an ordinary person who did a very ordinary thing".
In all, Mr Zhu rescued three men and three women, but regretted that he was unable to do more to help others who reportedly succumbed to hypothermia.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
