A man in Shangqiu, Henan province, plunged into a river to rescue a driver whose car suddenly veered off the road last Wednesday, according to a report by the Workers' Daily.

After jumping into the water without hesitation and swimming to the car, Li broke open the car window with an iron rod and dragged out the trapped driver.

The car was already over 40 meters away from the shore and the swift currents added to the challenge.

"Hurry up! Give me a hand!" he shouted. With the help of passers-by on the shore, Li finally managed to drag the driver onto the land.

The whole rescue process was done in just 10 minutes.

Li got multiple hurts on his body, the report said. He and the driver were taken to hospital for treatment after the incident, and both were out of danger.

Li, 43, is known as a warmhearted shop owner in the local neighborhood.

The rescued man from Shandong province brought a significant amount of money to Li's home to thank him last Saturday. However, Li refused the money, the report said.