Chinese woman survives 18-storey fall after jumping from apartment during argument with boyfriend
A 20-year-old woman in eastern China is fighting to recover after surviving a fall from the 18th floor of an apartment building following a heated argument with her boyfriend.
The incident took place in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, in the early hours of July 12. According to local reports, the woman, identified only by the pseudonym Xiaoyi, had been arguing with her boyfriend for several hours inside their rented flat before making the impulsive decision to jump from the balcony at around 4am.
Despite the tremendous height, Xiaoyi survived after a tree helped break her fall before she landed on nearby vegetation instead of the concrete ground below. Relatives later described her survival as nothing short of miraculous.
Tree cushions fall and saves her life
Following the incident, her boyfriend rushed her to hospital and reportedly paid an initial 20,000 yuan (about S$3,600) towards her medical expenses.
Doctors found that Xiaoyi had suffered multiple life-threatening injuries, including trauma to her head, lungs, liver and spleen. She also sustained fractures to her pelvis, pubic bone and both legs.
She underwent two major operations and was later scheduled for a third surgery as doctors continued treating her extensive injuries.
Family reveals what happened before the jump
As her condition stabilised, Xiaoyi told relatives what had happened in the hours leading up to the incident.
Her uncle, identified only by the surname Li, travelled from Yingjiang County in Yunnan province to care for her. He said the couple had experienced repeated relationship problems before the incident.
According to the family, Xiaoyi had already decided to end the relationship and had even purchased a train ticket to return home. However, after another argument on the night of July 11, her boyfriend allegedly took away her identity card and mobile phone before locking the apartment door to stop her from leaving.
Feeling trapped and emotionally overwhelmed after arguing throughout the night, Xiaoyi reportedly said her only thought was to escape the apartment.
Her uncle added that she deeply regretted her decision after regaining consciousness.
Medical bills exceed S$18,000
The family has since appealed for financial assistance as the cost of treatment continues to climb.
Her medical expenses have exceeded 100,000 yuan (around S$18,000), with a significant portion of the hospital bill still unpaid. The family managed to raise about 90,000 yuan through an online fundraising platform, but further surgeries and rehabilitation are expected to require substantial additional funds.
The financial burden has been made even heavier because Xiaoyi’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Her father reportedly exhausted the family’s savings and borrowed money to pay for her treatment.
Boyfriend kept away from hospital
After learning more about the circumstances surrounding the incident, Xiaoyi’s relatives decided not to allow her boyfriend to visit her in hospital.
According to her uncle, the man repeatedly tried to enter her ward, prompting the family to contact police. Officers later intervened and persuaded him to leave.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Xiaoyi’s fall.
Her uncle said the family believes she was incredibly fortunate to have landed where she did, noting that a concrete surface lay only a short distance away and would likely have resulted in a fatal outcome.
The case has sparked widespread discussion online, with many internet users urging people not to make irreversible decisions during moments of emotional distress. Others also stressed the importance of seeking help and safely removing oneself from situations where emotions become overwhelming.