An 18-year-old schoolgirl was saved by her umbrella when she was blown off a six-storey building in China.

Zhang Haijing’s umbrella slowed her fall and allowed her to land relatively softly, reports the Today Morning Express.

Zhang, from Jingning County in Zhejiang Province, was soaked when she was caught in rain on her way home from school.

She decided to wash and dry her clothes in a laundry at the top of a six storey building but was blown off a slippery walkway by a sudden gust of wind.

The wind caught her raised umbrella and blew her over the edge of the building but she managed to cling on to the umbrella as she fell.

It slowed her descent and she landed in the soft soil of a waterlogged vegetable garden.

Zhang is now stable in hospital after undergoing a number of operations for her injuries.

Her family are appealing for help to allow her to continue her studies as they have spent all of their savings on her medical bills.

By Sirius on 25-05-2007