Li Boya, a 20-year-old student at Railway Police College from Zhengzhou in central China's Henan Province, risked his life in an attempt to save a suicidal man from being hit by a train while working as a summer intern at Changli Railway Station in Qinhuangdao, northern Hebei Province. On July 9, seconds before a train arrived, Li saw a man jump onto the tracks and ran to pull him to safety. Despite making an emergency stop, the train ran over Li, severing his right foot and his left leg below the knee.

Li is in stable condition at the Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao after undergoing surgery. Li's lower left leg was amputated and his right foot damaged. Doctors are hopeful the right leg can be saved and have his left foot transplanted to the right leg so he will only need one artificial leg in the future.

According to a report by The Beijing News, his mother, Yin Li, asked her son if he regretted what he did. Li responded he would still try to save others in similar circumstances.

The Beijing railway police authority has rewarded Li with 200,000 yuan ($31,700) for his heroic act and promised him a job when he finishes his studies in Zhengzhou.

Li has also won much admiration and public sympathy. There have been many offers of donations for medical expenses.