Pregnant woman rescued by helicopter in Miyun gives birth successfully

Helicopter-Rescued Pregnant Woman from Miyun Successfully Gives Birth

On July 28, a helicopter rescued a pregnant woman nearing her due date from Tiziyu Village in Dachengzi Town, Miyun District, which was surrounded by floodwaters. At around 11:40 a.m. on August 2, the woman, Zhou Jing, safely delivered a baby girl weighing 7.9 pounds at Miyun District Hospital. Both mother and child are doing well. The family named the baby “Xiangxiang,” hoping she will remain calm in difficult situations and think carefully before acting.

Tiziyu is a small mountain village surrounded by hills. “The due date was August 1, but we never expected the rain to be this heavy…” The mother-in-law, Chen Shuwen, was still shaken when recalling the events—on the morning of July 28, floods cut off the village’s roads, water, electricity, and communication, isolating it completely. “The village committee tried many solutions, but the water was too deep for any vehicles to pass…” Chen Shuwen said the pregnant woman had already begun experiencing mild contractions.

At around 3:30 p.m. on July 28, a police helicopter from Beijing arrived over Tiziyu Village. Hearing the rotor sounds, village officials rushed to a narrow cement path, waving red cloth to signal for help. However, due to the fast-flowing river and the lack of a suitable landing or hovering spot, the only way to get the pregnant woman onto the helicopter was via a hoist. But her belly was too large—any harness would risk compressing the fetus, and even a rescue stretcher couldn’t guarantee safety.

After assessment, the crew decided to return to base and bring medical professionals for assistance.

At 4:17 p.m., the helicopter returned with two doctors. By then, Chen Shuwen and the pregnant woman were waiting for rescue on a rocky shore. Unable to land fully, the helicopter balanced precariously on one wheel on the uneven ground. With the help of the crew, village officials, and locals, the pregnant woman was carefully lifted aboard in a seated position. During the flight, Chen Shuwen wept, repeatedly expressing her gratitude. By 4:30 p.m., they safely arrived at Mujiazu Airport, where an ambulance was ready to take them to Miyun District Hospital.

Little known to many, “Xiangxiang’s” father, Jiang Wei, is a firefighter. On the afternoon of July 27, after learning about floods in Fengjiayu and Bulaotun, he left Tiziyu Village—despite being on leave—to assist in rescue efforts. He hadn’t expected floods to hit his hometown the next morning. After hearing his wife was rescued, Jiang Wei rushed from the frontlines to the hospital on July 28 to reunite with his family. After the birth, the three took a memorable family photo.