Man given city's highest honor for saving woman

A deliveryman who jumped off a bridge to save a drowning woman earlier this month in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was awarded a second-class merit citation on Sunday.

The honor is the highest that the Hangzhou government bestows on people who have acted bravely without considering their own fate.

"I'm really flattered," said Peng Qinglin, receiving the award certificate on his hospital bed as he is still recovering from injuries sustained during his rescue effort.

Peng, a 31-year-old from Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, was delivering his first order of the day on June 13 along Xixing Bridge, when he heard a call for help.

Without much hesitation, he jumped off the 12-meter-high bridge that straddles the iconic Qiantang River, before swimming to the drowning woman and dragging her to safety.

Peng was later taken to the hospital and was found to have suffered from a compression fracture in his spine.

A video capturing Peng's heroics soon went viral after it was posted on Chinese social media, making him an instant hero.

"People all over Hangzhou have been singing your praises for your astonishing jump at that critical moment," said Qin Wen, deputy director of Hangzhou Public Security Bureau, who presented the award as well as a cash prize of 50,000 yuan ($7,000) to Peng.

Peng's courageousness is quite touching, Qin said, and more people will learn from him and extend a helping hand when others need it.

Peng's story has been widely publicized throughout China.

"I watched the video," one netizen from Guangdong province wrote on microblogging platform Sina Weibo. "Despite his apparent fear of the height, he jumped into the river bravely nonetheless to save the woman."

"He deserves every honor and award," another netizen from Jiangsu province commented.

According to official policies, people like Peng who are awarded a second-class or above merit citation are able to enjoy preferential healthcare treatment in Hangzhou and they are eligible to formally apply to become a citizen of the city.

"There are many unsung heroes in Hangzhou," said Peng. "I just happened to be the one who got noticed."

For his bravery and selflessness, Hangzhou police authorities earlier awarded Peng the title of "Good Samaritan" and a cash prize of 30,000 yuan. In addition, the delivery company that Peng works for gave him a cash award of 50,000 yuan as well as the opportunity to study in college for free.