Longchi County is one of the worst-hit counties in Dujiangyan city. The quake wiped out all buildings of Longchi Primary School, but nearly all children in the school survived. But while ensuring the safety of his students, the schoolmaster Xiao Mingqing lost his beloved wife.
One of the students who was saved by Xiao Mingqing.
Xiao Mingqing's wife was also a teacher of the Longchi preliminary school. She was unable to escape the earthquake's destruction.
One student of Longchi Preliminary School said "Windows were shaking when the earthquake hit. Teachers heard the noise and asked us to run fast."
When the earthquake hit, the first priority for Xiao Mingqing was the safety of students. He and his wife Teacher Tang, as well as other teachers hurried to moving children to safety in the playground. But Xiao didn't notice that his wife was left behind.
Luo Zhenghua, one teacher of Longchi Preliminary School said "Schoolmaster Xiao cried to us 'run outside, quick!' We teachers led the children out, because all the walls were falling down. Then we checked the students in each class, and found Teacher Tang was not here. Xiao said there was no time to take care of his own wife. "
Lin Zuochang, Deputy Chief of Longchi County said "He had more than 100 students, and took them to safe place. All for these children, but didn't look after his own family. Yesterday morning, he dug his wife out and buried her."
With the efforts of Schoolmaster Xiao and all teachers, most students were saved. Sadly, three students still died.
After ensuring students were safe, Xiao began to look for his wife under the debris.
One student of Longchi Preliminary School said "We all cried along the route. Teacher Tang was carried here."
No final words, no funeral and no gravestone, but Teacher Tang's students will always remember her.
(CCTV May 19, 2008)