The woman kidnapped earlier Wednesday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, died in hospital from severe wounds sustained in the kidnapping.

The kidnapper, 23-year-old Chen Haorang, attempted to extort 100,000 yuan (US$1,024) of money from her, and was eventually shot and killed by police.

Chen seized the woman with a knife in her Bora car when she was just about to drive away after dropping her kid off at kindergarten at 7:47 a.m., said police.

A scream for help by the woman made passers-by nearby report the situation to police immediately.

More than 100 policemen rushed to the scene to rescue the woman and had to shoot the kidnapper after all attempts made in about three hours failed to persuade him to surrender and release the hostage.

The hostage was rushed to hospital for treatment but died as her neck artery and throat had been cut by the kidnapper.

Chen was found to have also taken an ax with him in the kidnapping.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2004)