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Stephen Ellison: Diplomat who saved drowning woman given banner | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Stephen Ellison saved a university student from drowning earlier this month | Stephen Ellison saved a university student from drowning earlier this month |
A British diplomat who dived into a river to save a woman's life has been presented with a red velvet banner - a sign of gratitude in China. | A British diplomat who dived into a river to save a woman's life has been presented with a red velvet banner - a sign of gratitude in China. |
The banner was given to Stephen Ellison, consul-general in Chongqing, by the 24-year-old university student he pulled from the river last week. | |
It reads "righteous and courageous, saving people from water". | It reads "righteous and courageous, saving people from water". |
The 61-year-old was met with widespread praise and was hailed as a hero in China for his actions. | The 61-year-old was met with widespread praise and was hailed as a hero in China for his actions. |
"This is the first banner I have ever received in my life, it is of great significance to me," Mr Ellison said, according to a post by the British Consulate General Chongqing on China's micro-blogging site Weibo last Friday. | |
Big red banners, known in China as jinqi, are typically given as a means of expressing gratitude - and it is not uncommon for the recipient to display it, like one would an award. | |
Just one month into his new role as consul general, Stephen Ellison saves a university student from drowning | Just one month into his new role as consul general, Stephen Ellison saves a university student from drowning |
Mr Ellison, originally from Newcastle, is head of the British mission in Chongqing, where his role is primarily to support bilateral trade links between Britain and China. | Mr Ellison, originally from Newcastle, is head of the British mission in Chongqing, where his role is primarily to support bilateral trade links between Britain and China. |
However, it was his bravery rather than his profession which thrust him into the spotlight, after he was filmed jumping into a river to rescue the unnamed woman who had slipped into the water from some rocks. | |
The footage shows her struggle and disappear under a footbridge before emerging face down - apparently unconscious. | |
Mr Ellison is seen throwing off his shoes before launching into the water himself, turning her over and bringing her to safety. | Mr Ellison is seen throwing off his shoes before launching into the water himself, turning her over and bringing her to safety. |
He then swam round to shallower rocks and climbed out. |