A Chinese police officer successfully saved a family after he offered himself up to a kidnapper in exchange for residents being held hostage in an apartment in Loudi, central China’s Hunan Province on August 30.
The policeman, named Huang Qihuan, exchanged himself for the hostage who is the brother of the kidnapper and persuaded the kidnapper to free the family after a five-hour negotiation, during which Huang experienced threats from the knife-wielding kidnapper and suffered injuries before he was rushed to the hospital.
Marks from the knife left on the police officer Huang Qihuan's neck after being held by the kidnapper.
At midnight, Huang was dispatched to a three-story apartment to solve a conflict, where a man was threatening his brother with a knife. Challenged by the man, Huang was able to calm him down and dashed on with no thought of his personal safety to swap for the hostage.
Huang thought that he could talk with the man, but the attacker held the knife on his neck and forced the officer to tie up his hands with a power cable after turning off the lights.
The apartment where an attacker takes his brother in hostage. /Photo via Weibo
Threats to Huang escalated as standby police officers inquired about Huang’s condition. The kidnapper lost his temper and started smashing objects, pouring cooking oil on Huang and turn on a gas cooker, with the intentions of perishing together.
“Only if people outside dash in, I will perish together with all of you.” Huang cited the kidnapper saying after he was released.
Facing up to the deadly threats, Huang made all-out efforts to keep himself calm down and satisfy the man with the man’s family members while standby police officers were ready to break into the room.
A mass of police officers standby outside the room which an attacker takes Huang hostage. /Photo via Weibo
Persuasions from all sides seemed to work. The man escorted Huang out of the room with the knife on the neck while other police officers were still on standby outside. Huang made an intentional, but natural act of slipping due to him covered body with oil and the kidnapper was controlled.
The knife which was held on the neck for hours causing injuries to Huang, and he was rushed to the hospital.
Standby police officers rushed in to save Huang. /Photo via Weibo
“I’ve had mental preparedness for death for several times during the five hours in hostage. The five hours is the most horrifying moment that I’ve ever experienced as a police officer,” Huang recollected. However, Huang said over the phone with his wife, “I encountered a trifling matter that I was taken hostage.”
Police officer Huang Qihuan. /Photo via Weibo
Thanks to Huang’s brave decision and smart strategy during the last minute of the incident, the family whose life had been on the line survived.
“How brave he is! Pay tribute to the nation’s police,” a WeChat user with a screen name called ABCCLMeihaodangxia commented.
“He’s a good man. We should show more understanding and support to police officers. They are also [parents’] children, [children’s] fathers and fellow co-workers [like us in the office]. They also work hard each day,” @Sui Yue praised the police on WeChat and showed his respect on WeChat.
“This is a real man for the people. In dire peril, he dashes ahead regardless of his own safety, but the life is not like the steel and iron, please remember to defend yourself for your family. Wish you safe and sound all your life,” a Weibo user, @Taiyuanzhonglianjituanliyulan commented on the heroic Huang.