A 20-year-old student who was in danger of losing both legs after trying to save a suicidal man was hailed a national hero by the top public security department.

Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu signed the order to honor Li Boya as a national model of the public security system. Meng also instructed that Li should receive the best treatment possible and adequate compensation.

Li, whose left lower leg was amputated, is in stable condition at the Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao in North China's Hebei province. Doctors were able to save his right leg and transplant the left foot to it, so he will need only one artificial leg in the future.

Zhang Xu, the doctor in charge of Li's care, said his blood circulation is good and anti-infection treatment has been effective after the transplant. Zhang said the right leg may be able to walk again in six months.

Li, soon to enter his second year at Railway Police College in Zhengzhou, in Henan province, was working as a summer intern at Qinhuangdao's Changli Railway Station.

He tried to pull a suicidal man off the train tracks seconds before a train arrived at about 5:40 pm on July 9. The train made an emergency stop but could not avoid hitting Li, who lost his right foot and left leg below the knee in the accident.

Li's parents arrived from Pingdingshan, Henan, on July 10. His father, Li Song, said in a micro blog entry on July 13 that they did not need private donations. But public support and sympathy poured in and the family has received 350,000 yuan ($54,942) in donations, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The Beijing railway police bureau has rewarded Li 200,000 yuan and promised him a job when he finishes his studies in Zhengzhou.

His school also offered him a position when he graduates and has waived his tuition fees.

The man who attempted suicide, Liu Shichen, 41, died of severe brain stem injury after being taken to the same hospital. Liu lay on the ground between the tracks and was hit on the head when the train passed. The reason for Liu's suicide remains unknown.