A retired soldier in China has stunned social media by revealing that he saved the same person from drowning in the same pond, 25 years apart. - Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
BEIJING (SCMP): The story of a woman in China who fell into the same pond twice over a 25-year period and was rescued both times by the same man has caused amazement on mainland social media.
The coincidence began to emerge on July 17, when Xu Can from Yiyang, Hunan province in central China, was driving home alone.
When she approached a pond, Xu abruptly slammed on the brakes of her car, causing it to skid and plunge into the water.
As the car began to fill with water, Xu struggled to open the door and found that the automatic windows were malfunctioning.
Reluctant hero: retired soldier Tang Keming plays down his life-saving double. - Photo: Weibo / SCMP
With the water continuing to rise, Xu managed to stick her head out through a small gap in the window and shout for help.
Retired soldier Tang Keming, 71, who was cooking dinner nearby at the time, heard her screams and rushed outside to investigate.
“I saw a maroon car in the pond, with only the roof visible above the water. The driver’s neck was stuck in the window, and she was screaming for help,” Tang told Hunan Daily Press Group.
“Usually, my door is closed while I cook, so I wouldn’t have heard anything. But that day, by chance, the door was open,” he added.
Quick thinking Tang remained calm, grabbed a gardening hoe from his home before jumping into the pond.
“There was no one else around, and I didn’t have time to think. I just knew I had to save her,” he said.
Tang used the hoe to smash the window of the car so that Xu could struggle out. She was uninjured.
“I hit the glass four or five times in the centre without it breaking. Finally, I struck the edge with all my strength, and it shattered,” Tang said, adding that he swam to the shore while supporting Xu under his armpits.
The local village committee honoured Tang with the title of “Brave and Good Villager” on July 19 when Xu also visited him to express her gratitude personally.
Lucky Xu Can thanks the man who saved her life twice, telling him she is “so grateful”. - Photo: Weibo
During their conversation, Xu made a spooky discovery.
A quarter of a century ago, when she was in the first year of primary school, Xu fell into the same pond and it was Tang who came to her rescue.
“I was a mischievous child back then and after school I fell into the pond. I am so grateful to Tang for saving me twice,” said Xu.
Modest Tang said: “I didn’t think much about it. Saving lives is what’s important.”
The heartwarming coincidence has amazed many people online.
“Wow, what an example of fate! This is like something out of a novel. He saved her twice! May good people always be safe!” one person said.
“Sometimes you just have to accept fate’s arrangements. The probability of this happening is almost zero, but it did. Life is full of mysteries,” said another.
“Grandpa Tang is truly her guardian angel! Kudos to the brave grandpa. I hope he stays healthy and lives a long life,” said a third. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
