Heroic Horse Dies After Saving Man from Drowning in River
A heart-wrenching story has unfolded in Hubei's Xiantao, where a heroic horse named "White Dragon" tragically passed away after saving a man from drowning in the Han River. This remarkable tale of bravery and sacrifice has captured the hearts of countless netizens, who are now mourning the loss of this extraordinary animal. On February 4th, a man fell into the Han River in Xiantao, prompting his daughter to attempt a rescue. Fortunately, a group of passersby, including a man named Yilixi Bai, who was riding White Dragon, sprang into action. Yilixi Bai bravely rode White Dragon into the river, where they successfully rescued the stranded man with the help of another swimmer, Liu Hangzhou.
12 February 2025
The rescue was a dramatic scene, with White Dragon charging into the water to reach the man in distress. As they made their way back to shore, Liu Hangzhou, a 57-year-old retired military officer, swam from behind to provide additional support, helping to pull the rescued man to safety. This heroic act was not an isolated incident, as just three days later, another rescue took place at the Pure Harmony Ridge Water Gate in Xiantao City. Zhang Chengmin, a fisherman from Wuhan, used his fishing rod to try and snag a man struggling in the water, buying precious time for others to intervene and eventually pull the man to safety using a fishing net.
Tragically, White Dragon's heroic actions came at a great cost. After the rescue, the horse began to show signs of illness, including high fever, loss of appetite, and difficulty defecating. Despite the best efforts of veterinary experts from across the province, who rushed to Xiantao to provide emergency care, White Dragon's condition continued to deteriorate. The horse's symptoms worsened, with abnormal liver function and an inability to defecate, and preliminary analysis by experts suggests that the cause of death was intestinal torsion, a sudden and not uncommon condition in equine animals. On February 11th, at around 9:20 pm, the horse sadly passed away due to this severe and often fatal condition.
The passing of White Dragon has sparked widespread mourning among netizens, with many people taking to social media to express their admiration and gratitude for the brave and selfless horse. They lament that White Dragon gave its life to save someone else, showcasing its courage and altruism. Netizens have been leaving comments and messages to bid farewell to the heroic horse, with some writing, "My heavens, I'm so sad and heartbroken! Poor White Dragon, may you rest in peace in heaven!" Others have stated, "Heroic White Dragon, you will always be remembered. Your bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten." The news of White Dragon's passing has also been met with an outpouring of condolences and tributes from people who were inspired by its heroic actions, praising the horse's loyalty and dedication to its owner, as well as its instinct to save a life in distress. The story of White Dragon's bravery and sacrifice will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time, serving as a testament to the special bond between humans and animals.
