The hearse carrying the body of a Hong Kong volunteer who died while saving others in the Yushu earthquake, has arrived back home. Wong Fu-wing has been recommended for a posthumous gold medal award for bravery.

 

The hearse entered the Hong Kong SAR with local officials lining the road. Wong Fu-wing's relatives were there to welcome the hero's return.

The 46-year-old was a truck driver in Hong Kong on a low income. Despite this he spent a three-month vacation every year working for charity.

In 2002, he took part in a charity walk from Hong Kong to Beijing to raise funds for the China Bone Marrow Foundation. In 2008, he worked tirelessly in the reconstruction of Sichuan province, after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake killed 70-thousand people. A few days ago, he embarked upon a journey to Yushu. When one of his friends once asked him about the danger of altitude sickness, Wong said it would be a blessing to die for the cause of charity.

But few believed it would actually be his destiny.

On Wednesday, Wong Fu-wing was crushed under collapsed houses after pushing four people out of the debris.

The Hong Kong SAR has recommended Wong Fu-wing for the Medal of Bravery, the award for acts of the greatest gallantry and heroism in circumstances of extreme danger.