Zhang Lili

Zhang Lili (张丽莉)

Zhang Lili (张丽莉) is a teacher from the No. 19 Middle School in Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province. She was seriously injured after saving students from an oncoming bus on May 8, 2012.

Zhang and her students were crossing the road just outside the school's gate when a school bus was suddenly out of control and veered toward students. Zhang pushed two students out of the way of the vehicle, but she herself was run over and her legs crushed, and later they had to be performed high amputation.

Zhang is currently treated and cured in the First Hospital affiliated with the Harbin Medical University. Her vital signs are stable, but some post-operative complications have begun to appear, which still threaten Zhang's life, according to the doctor in charge of her case. An expert team has been formed with the doctors of this hospital as well as five medical experts sent by the Ministry of Health.

Zhang is conscious now, but still unable to speak. "We have done a thorough body check for Zhang and we will do everything we can to save her life," said her doctor.

Born on Jan. 19, 1984 in Jiamusi, Zhang enrolled into Yilan Normal School in 1999 and Daqing Normal University in 2004. She graduated from Harbin Normal University in 2007 and has worked in the No. 19 Middle School in Jiamusi since then, teaching Chinese language and literature.

Zhang was once a 168-cm-tall lively and cheerful girl who had dedicated herself to work. She got married with Li Zihua in 2009. The couple planned to have a baby after bidding farewell to her graduating class. "Now I just wish my wife can wake up soon. From now on I am her strong backing, and she is my only one. No matter when and where, we'll be together forever," said her husband.

Zhang's act of heroism has moved numerous people. She was acclaimed as "the most beautiful teacher." On May 20, Liu Yandong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and state councilor, made a special trip to Harbin to visit her. According to the Harbin Charity Society, by May 21, the donation from various circles had reached 7.78 million yuan (US$1.23 million).