55YO Chinese Delivery Man Dies On Bike After Working 18-Hour Shift

A 55-year-old food delivery man in China passed away during a nap on his bike after enduring a gruelling 18-hour workday. According to the South China Morning Post, this heartbreaking incident occurred in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in eastern China earlier this month. A video going viral on Chinese social media platforms captured the food delivery worker, surnamed Yuan, who died in his sleep while resting on his electric bike after a taxing day of fulfilling multiple orders.

The incident has sparked a discussion online about the welfare and legal rights of delivery drivers across the entire nation. 

Meanwhile, a witness revealed that the respective food delivery worker had been at his post from 9 pm on September 5 until he was discovered at 1 am the following morning by another delivery driver. The outlet also reported that Yuan had earned a reputation for his relentless work ethic, which probably earned him the nickname the "Order King".

Yuan's death causes Hardships for his Family

He usually used to make between 500 and 600 yuan ($70 and $85) a day, with earnings exceeding 700 yuan on rainy days. "He would sometimes work until 3 am, then rise at 6 am to start again. When he felt fatigued, he would take a brief nap on his bike, ready to return to work as soon as an order came in," a person close to the delivery driver said, per SCMP.   

Another colleague of Yuan said that a month before his death, the poor 55-year-old had suffered a leg fracture in a traffic accident while delivering an order. He rested for about 10 days before returning to work, and then two weeks later he passed away. The colleague said that Yuan relocated to earn a living but also to support his 16-year-old son who is studying in Hangzhou. He also has an elder son who is married with children. 

In response to the incident, the Xianlin Sub-district Office in Yuhang district released an official statement confirming that Yuan had "collapsed and died despite emergency treatment". "The food delivery platform, the insurance company, and the family have reached an agreement. Follow-up arrangements are being carried out in an orderly manner," the announcement stated.

Meanwhile, on social media, the incident has sparked outrage. "Another 'Order King' has fallen. Is there no way to avoid these tragedies?" one person said. "He was in his 50s, the sole breadwinner of his family, working day and night. May he rest in peace. I hope in his next life, he will not have to race against time like this," another commented.