SHANGHAI, Aug. 15 -- HOLDING yellow carnations in their hands, more than 500 mourners yesterday bade a sad farewell to the professor who gave his life rescuing his students on a field trip.

The funeral of He Baogen of Shanghai Normal University began at 1:20pm yesterday at Longhua Funeral Home with mourners taking turns to enter a viewing parlor with He's coffin and a large portrait of the heroic academic.

He, 45, the vice dean of Shanghai Normal University's geography department, was swept away by a heavy tide after he had grabbed students and moved them out of danger on a research trip on Chongming Island last week.

Paying their respects were family members, friends, government officials, academics and students.

Students especially were deeply moved, crying over the lost of their beloved teacher. One third-year undergraduate girl fainted during the memorial.

"He was the best teacher I ever met and always encouraged us to ask challenging questions. He devoted himself to his research program and spared no effort," said Shi Lijiang, a former student who graduated last year.

After hearing the shock news, Shi and his other 14 classmates came to the funeral from every corner of the country, some even from Fujian Province.

"We still can't believe he has left us. When I talked with him about his research in July, I remember the great passion he had for this project," Shi said, blinking back tears.

Chen Chungen, He's cousin who has collected newspaper clippings about He, said: "I want to keep in mind his courage and spirit, his dedication to research and his love for his students. His family must be very proud of him."

"We prepared 500 carnations for mourners coming to the memorial, yet it seems we needed more," said He Qiuhong, a university teacher and former colleague.