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A man from the United States living in China has been recognized for his bravery after saving an elderly woman who fell into a river in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.
Horace Beacham, who goes by the Chinese name Bai Handa, was jogging in Jiangxi Qianjin Binshui Park on January 17 when he heard cries for help from the river. He spotted an elderly woman struggling in the water and immediately rushed to assist.
Reaching through the railing, Beacham leaned over the river, holding onto the woman’s arms to keep her afloat. He later explained that he could have pulled her up but was concerned about injuring her, so he focused on supporting her while calling for help from nearby passersby.
Authorities arrived shortly after and successfully pulled the woman to safety. Beacham’s quick actions and courage were widely praised, and on January 20, local officials visited his home to present him with a bravery certificate and a cash reward.
Reflecting on the incident, Beacham said he first visited China at 18 and later moved to Wuxi in 2015. He expressed his love for the city and its people, stating, "If something like this happens again, I will do my best to help because the people of Wuxi have been very kind to me."
The rescue gained significant attention on Chinese social media, with many praising Beacham’s selflessness. One netizen commented, "Thank you, our foreign friend. Kindness has no borders." Another wrote, "China also loves you!"
Beacham is not the first foreigner to receive such an honor in China. In 2020, Stephen Ellison, a 61-year-old British diplomat in Chongqing, saved a 24-year-old woman who had slipped on rocks and fallen into a river. Ellison, an experienced triathlete, immediately removed his shoes and jumped into the water, rescuing the unconscious woman. He was later awarded a bravery certificate and a cash prize of 50,000 yuan (US$6,900), which he donated to a local charity.
Source: SCMP
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