Blog by Li Chengpeng, a famous football reporter and sports commentator (http://blog.sina.com.cn/lichengpeng) at 04:07:05, May 14, 2008
I just came back from Beichuan – one of the counties that suffered the most from the May 12 earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province. I was soaked with rain all over and I still cannot lift myself out of the extreme sadness that comes to mind when I recall the two old people that I saved this afternoon (from the debris). I also tried to help find an 81-year-old husband surnamed Jia for an aged woman but before having any sort of results I had to retreat because of the severe aftershocks. If anybody comes across the missing husband, please kindly tell him his wife is waiting for him at the toll station.
A TV reporter on the site stopped me for an interview and asked: "Why have you come here to Beichuan?" "I don't know," I replied. She wanted to ask more questions but I refused and ran away. To be perfectly frank I was filled with panic during the entire rescue process. People are as tiny as a piece of straw or a little ant before the power of nature.
So please cherish yourself, cherish your family, cherish those you love and those who love you. This is the best rescue method for human society.
I returned to Mianyang City at dawn. The gymnasium there has given refuge for over 10,000 people who are in dire need of raincoats and winter outerwear.
(China.org.cn, translated by Yuan Fang, May 15, 2008)