At around 10:30 a.m. on September 5 in Nantong, Jiangsu, on the Haian section of the G15 Shenyang–Haikou Expressway, an orange sedan suddenly lost control, crashed into the central barrier, and came to a stop in the third lane.

The collision left the front end and doors badly deformed, with thick smoke and flames bursting from the bonnet. The driver, semi-conscious, managed to kick open the door but, too weak to move further, collapsed halfway out of the car.

At that critical moment, Suzhou resident Zhang Xiaofei immediately pulled his car over in the emergency lane and rushed to help. He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his boot, but when he saw the driver foaming at the mouth and lying motionless, he quickly dragged him toward the roadside. As moving him alone was difficult and risky, six more cars soon stopped, and several drivers ran over to assist. Together, they lifted the driver onto the emergency lane.

During the rescue, some people carried the driver, others directed traffic, and one passer-by gave the injured man water. As the fire spread and the car began crackling with small explosions, Zhang organised everyone to move the victim to a safer distance to prevent further harm. The rescue took just over a minute, and the unconscious driver was pulled to safety before the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames.

It was later confirmed that Zhang Xiaofei, the first to rush forward, is a 49-year-old retired soldier and now works at the Humble Administrator’s Garden management office.

The Haian Public Security Bureau is now working with the local Courageous Acts Foundation to nominate him for a bravery award.