(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-15 18:19

YINGXIU TOWNSHIP -- With the nation in shock from the deadly earthquake on Monday that claimed more than 14,000 lives, information from the epicenter of Wenchuan remained scarce, as the county in a valley had its communications entirely severed in the catastrophe.

As rescuers and Xinhua journalists finally made their way into the worst-hit region, the calamity there was brought to light.

"He protected students like an eagle"

When rescuers found the body of Zhang Miya, a teacher at the Yingxiu township primary school, they were astonished at his gesture.

The 29-year-old man knelt on debris, extending both arms to hug two students, like an eagle spreading its wings. On his back was some of the fallen wreckage of the building.

Under his arms, the children were alive.

The teacher was clutching his students so tightly, rescuers had to saw his arms off to pull out the children.

"Zhang saved his students at the price of his own life," said Tan Guoqiang, the 48-year-old headmaster of the school.

Zhang was a mathematics teacher who came to the school two years ago. His colleague, English teacher Mao Fangqin, said he was versatile and a good singer.

"His only relatives in Yingxiu were his wife Deng Xia, who was also a teacher in our school, and his 3-year-old son," Mao said.

Deng also died in the collapse of the school, and the son's body has been found in a local kindergarten.

"May they reunite in heaven and live happily ever after," Mao said.

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