Hunan, China – On September 16, He Zhihua, 49, a villager in Lianhua Town, Yuelu, was crushed by a steamroller when protesting against demolition. Changsha Municipal Government responded on September 29th, said He’s death was completely unpredictable and it is not a criminal case.
He Zhihua, 49, a villager in Central China’s Hunan Province was killed when a steamroller crushed him to death after his dispute with a local official. He has been petitioning against his relocation several times.
State media said He has come to the construction site many times to disrupt workers. He Zhihua was laying on the new pavement and interfering the job when the accident happened. “He suddenly walked behind the steamroller and laid down while family members still arguing to local officials. He Zhihua was crushed to death when people discovered him.” The report from People News said.
Although the news was censored in China’s state media, many believed that He Zhihua’s death was from an order of a local official. He was protesting by laying on the spot where the construction vehicle had to drive and the official ordered workers to drive over.
The investigation on He Zhihua’s case showed the driver inside steamroller was not able to hear the noise outside and therefore could not stop the vehicle. He Zhihua was not in any distance visible from the rear mirror and in fact he was laying in a blind spot. He Zhihua’s case is now recognized as an unpredictable accident, not a criminal case.
He Zhihua’s family is now offered compensations upon his death. FMN
