18-Year-Old Student Caught On Camera Saving Friend’s Life, Misses College Entrance Exam

An 18-year-old student in eastern China is being praised after missing a major exam to save his classmate’s life.

On the way to the Spring Gaokao (China’s national vocational entrance exam), Jiang Zhaopeng’s classmate suffered a heart attack and lost consciousness.

Jiang performed CPR as their driver Wong took them to the hospital in only 7 minutes, after alerting traffic police and getting permission to go through red lights.

Although his classmate’s heart had stopped for 30 minutes, doctors were able to revive him. Jiang went to the test center after confirming his friend was in stable condition. He unfortunately missed part of the exam, but remains sure that he did the right thing.

My exam can wait, but my classmate only lives once.

— Jiang

The heroic act has gone viral online, and on May 14, Jiang and the driver were honored with a Courageous Act Award and a 10,000 yuan (about $1,385 USD) prize. Additionally, various sources claim that he will be able to retake the exam.

Watch the video of the incident below.

A student in China missed the college entrance exam to save his friend's life after he suffered a heart attack. pic.twitter.com/gd4iJBkT25

— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) May 18, 2025