26-year-old Chen Jian, who was trapped in the rubble for 73 hours, died just 10 minutes after being rescued. His optimistism and will to survive moved everyone on the scence. [Photo: wenweipo.com]

26-year-old Chen Jian was trapped in debris for 73 hours. A news crew found him and alerted rescue teams in the area.

While awaiting rescue, Chen Jian was chatting with the reporter. He said: "I consider myself lucky as well as unlucky. I feel blessed to have escaped death. Many haven't been fortunate as I have. But at the same time, I am here pinned under three slabs of concrete, unable to move. I have not eaten anything for three days. I've been surviving on water."

"After going through so much hardship, there has to be good times ahead. I don't want to lose every member of my family. I must be strong. I have to be strong. I must live for everyone who loves me. I hope you can all be like me and not be intimidated by hardships."

Chen Jian came to work in Beichuan from a far-away county. He told the reporter he would like go home and see his family after being rescued. He said he had been married for a year and that his wife is pregnant. "I don't want my child to be born now knowing what his or her father looked like. Now I know I simply have to escape the clutches of death. I am not afraid of anything now. But I don't know if I have a good chance to survive."

Six hours later, rescue teams pulled Chen Jian out of the debris. But the young man seemed unresponsive while being taken to the hospital for further treatment. No matter how much the reporter and rescuers shouted: "Chen Jian, Chen Jian, wake up!", he remained silent. A lieutenant even tried to revive him with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac pumping, but to no avail. The military policeman sobbed and said: "You foolish man. You held on for so long. Why can't you hold on a bit longer? You foolish man..."

Chen Jian passed away right as he was being rescued from the ruins of the earthquake. But he never once gave up, displaying strength, optimism and courage to the very end. Let's salute this great man, for whom heaven has a special place.