'You're awesome': Teen with intellectual disabilities hailed a hero for rescuing lost toddler in China

After spotting a lost three-year-old girl alone by the side of a road, Chinese teenager Huang Yibo carried her on his back to a police station in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, because he was worried that she might be kidnapped.

Yibo, 17, who has intellectual disabilities, has since been hailed as a hero on social media platforms in the country, according to local media.

The incident, which occurred on April 7, was captured on CCTV footage along the road and in the police station, and later uploaded to Chinese social media platform Weibo.

One user said: "Intellectual disability does not hinder kindness and bravery."

Another said: "You are awesome."

In response to netizens' praises, Yibo said: "I saw her on the side of the road and thought if I don't help her, after a few minutes or hours, she might be kidnapped by some bad guys."

During a subsequent interview with a television station in Shaanxi province, Yibo asked a reporter to gift the toddler some balloons.

He reportedly told the toddler: "In the future, when you go out with your grandmother, hold on to her hand and don't get lost again."

For his kind act, Yibo was honoured by his school and received 5,000-yuan (S$970) reward from a company, which was not named.

He initially did not reveal his name to the police and said he studied at a special-needs school. The police and the girl's family found Yibo at his school and thanked him. The girl is not named in reports.

Yibo reportedly achieves good grades in school and enjoys playing sports, cooking and drawing.

He also represented Shaanxi province at China's National Paralympic Games and National Special Olympics. It is unclear when he participated, but Yibo won two gold and two silver medals in roller-skating events.

Yibo's headmaster said in a South China Morning Post story on Sunday (April 23) that Yibo entered the school with an emotional disorder in 2016. However, in recent times, Yibo has gained more control over it, added the report.

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This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.