Fishing Blogger Hailed as Hero After Jumping Into River to Save Toddler

A fishing blogger in east China's Zhejiang Province has been officially recognized by the local police for his act of heroism after jumping into a river to save a toddler who had fallen into the water.

Liu Sheng, a native of southwest China's Sichuan Province known online as "Qiyue," rescued the 19-month-old girl on May 24 in Xinjian Village, Cixi, a city under Ningbo, Hongxing News reported. His company also awarded him a 2,000-yuan (US$280) bonus.

The rescuer was later identified as Liu Sheng, a native of southwest China's Sichuan Province who regularly films his fishing trips with a body-mounted camera. Footage of the rescue quickly spread across Chinese social media, showing a little girl in a pink-patterned shirt floating motionless in the river.

Without hesitation, Liu climbed down a metal chain hanging beside a bridge and jumped into the water to pull the child to safety. The toddler, still wearing a diaper and shoes, appeared to have inhaled some water.

Holding the girl above his shoulders, Liu handed her to people waiting on the bank and shouted: "Call the police! Hurry and take her to the hospital!"

A village official surnamed Zhang later told Hongxing News that the rescued girl was 1 year and 7 months old. The older sister reportedly stumbled near the riverbank, causing the toddler to slip from her arms and accidentally fall into the water.

The girl's family is originally from central China's Henan Province and rents a home in the village. Her father works as a freight driver, while her mother does handicraft work from home.

After hearing her older daughter screaming for help, the mother who was cooking rushed to the riverbank just as Liu was pulling the younger child from the water.

The toddler was later taken to the hospital for examination and was discharged the same day without serious injuries, local officials said.

As the video spread online, Chinese netizens flooded the comment section with praise, calling Liu a real-life hero. Many viewers also attempted to send him money online after seeing the rescue, but he politely declined the offers.

Local police have since officially recognized Liu's actions as "acting courageously for a just cause." His company also awarded him a 2,000-yuan (US$280) bonus in recognition of his heroic rescue.