Drone Hero: Chinese Man Rescued from Flooded Rooftop by Makeshift Drone Airlift
In a remarkable rescue operation in southern China, a local resident used a makeshift drone rig to save a man trapped on a rooftop amid rapidly rising floodwaters. The incident occurred in the city of Liuzhou, where torrential rains had caused fast-moving waters to flood streets, making it impossible for traditional rescue boats to reach the stranded man for over an hour. The young man was seen waving for help from the crumbling roof of his two-storey home when a quick-thinking neighbor came to his aid.
Quick-Thinking Neighbor Uses Agricultural Drone to Save Man Trapped by Rising Floodwaters in Liuzhou
The rescuer, identified as Mr. Lai, devised an unconventional plan using his agricultural drone — typically used for spraying pesticides and carrying construction materials up to 100 kilograms. Tying a sandbag and a safety buckle to the drone’s lifting rope, Mr. Lai flew it to the trapped man, who was instructed via phone to secure himself to the improvised harness. Witness footage captured the daring moment the drone hoisted the man 65 feet into the air, carrying him safely through power lines and trees to solid ground in under two minutes.
Mr. Lai later admitted his actions were technically illegal, as manned drone flights are prohibited in China, but explained he acted out of urgency, fearing the house could collapse. “I know this isn’t allowed, but I couldn’t stand by while someone’s life was at risk,” he told The Beijing News. The daring rescue took place as heavy rains battered southern China, with 13 major rivers across Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hainan rising above warning levels, prompting widespread flood alerts.
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