Chinese earthquake rescurer greets Olympic flame

DAQING, Northeast China, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A fireman, who strove for days with his rescue team in one of the worst-hit area in the May 12 earthquake in China, transferred the Beijng Olympic torch at his hometown, Daqing city, the country's well-known "oil town" in the northernmost Heilongjiang province, on Saturday.

"The honor of being a torchbearer should be shared by everyone persisted when facing the disaster," said Yu Lianbo, who was deeply impressed by courage and bravery of the survivors whom he met in Beichuan County, southwestern Sichuan Province.

In spite of suffering from diabetes, Yu never slowed down his rescue work there.

With his men, Yu saved a woman who had been trapped for more than 100 hours. And in around two weeks, they rescued a total of 37 people buried under debris.

"I run the torch relay for everyone suffered in the quake and the brave people deserve the glory of the sacred flame," said Yu.