Jin’s heroism sparks online debates about whether it is ‘worth it’ to sacrifice one’s life to save others
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenFran Luin BeijingPublished: 6:00pm, 26 Jun 2026The dying wish of a 20-year-old Chinese food delivery rider, who lost his life while rescuing drowning strangers, moved many online and prompted his company to fulfil it.
Jin Xiaowu, from southwestern China’s Guizhou province, died while saving a father and son on May 27.
Jin and his colleague Wang Fangyang were walking along the river after finishing their delivery shifts when they suddenly heard cries for help.
A father and son had accidentally stepped into deep water while playing in the river and were caught in an undertow.
Jin, Wang, and two other men jumped into the river to rescue them. The pair were successfully brought to safety, but Jin, exhausted from the rescue, was pulled under by the rip current and lost his life.
