This is a sad story that filtered through the expat community a week and a half ago.
A longtime expat in Kunming, Michael Sutherland, died in a rafting accident August 26, 2007. At least two other people, including his girlfriend, also died in the accident. Everyone was wearing safety gear, but they capsized in a dangerous stretch of the river. It’s very likely that he died trying to save his girlfriend.
Today I found an article from Michael’s hometown newspaper in Wisconsin. This is the only written account of the story that I’ve been able to find. Other stories have made the rounds here through word-of-mouth. Nothing has appeared in the Chinese press.
Appleton Post-Crest: Former Appleton resident dies in Chinese rafting accident (September 8, 2007)
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4 comments ↓
My friend April just sent me this note with a link to a Chinese language article about the accident.
> 这里是昆明都市时报关于Michael的报道，
> http://www.clzg.cn/dssbpap/2007-08/29/content_894129.htm
> ，你点击”漂流弥勒3人失踪”，其中Michael的名字被写
> 成了中文” 迈克儿”（mai4ke4er2)
There are some words here written by the Uyghur musician Hong Qi in Beijing:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4744923e01000asu.html
I posted a reply to this article in English.
I was a friend of Mike years ago in Kunming. I’m very much saddened by the news. Today I’ll put some candles for him, help him in the transit. He died doing what he liked most, still is hardly a consolation. Old Mike take care wherever you are.
More online remembrances here:
http://www.gokunming.com/en/forums/show_thread.php?thread_id=280
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