Chen Jian poses for a photo after the rescue at the hotel. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
Chen Jian, a native of Wuxi, never expected to become a hero when he rescued a 13-year-old boy during a business trip to Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
On the morning of Aug 1, as Chen went to the hotel gym in Al-Khobar to get his earphones, two Arab women suddenly shouted anxiously at him and pulled him toward the swimming pool. Despite the language barrier, their urgent cries and gestures made it clear to him that a serious situation was unfolding.
Without hesitation, he jumped into the water and, as he was descending, he saw a boy who had fainted and was sinking to the bottom. Holding his breath, Chen kept diving until he firmly grabbed the boy's ankle and pulled him up with all his might. By that time, the boy had stopped breathing and looked pale. Using his first aid skills, Chen quickly started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Water was expelled from the boy's chest, and he began to breathe faintly. After encouraging others to take the boy to the hospital, Chen quietly left the scene.
A letter of thanks from the hotel manager. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
His heroic act deeply moved the locals, leading the hotel manager to send a letter of thanks, saying, "Your presence of mind and bravery in stepping in at a critical moment not only saved a life but also touched the hearts of everyone who witnessed it." As a gesture of gratitude, the hotel gave Chen a free stay. The rescued boy's father expressed his family's appreciation through the hotel.
In response to the praise, the rescuer humbly said, "It was just an instinctive reaction. Honestly, any Chinese person would have chosen the same."
