Delivery agent, 55, dies while napping on bike after 18-hour shift. He had broken his leg a month back

A delivery agent napping on his bike in China. (Representational)

A 55-year-old Chinese delivery man died while napping on his electric bike after enduring an excruciating 18-hour workday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in China. The death of Yuan, brought to public attention through a widely circulated video on September 6, has ignited a debate on the relentless pressure delivery workers face daily.

Yuan, who had earned a reputation for his tireless dedication and was often referred to as the “Order King,” was found dead in the early hours of September 6 by a fellow delivery driver.

According to witnesses, Yuan had been working from around 9 pm on September 5 until he was discovered at 1 am the following morning. Yang Yang, a colleague of Yuan, told Zonglan News, “He worked long hours, sometimes until 3 am, and would resume work at 6 am after a short nap on his bike. On rainy days, his earnings could go above 700 yuan (Rs 8,300).”

Just a month prior to his death, Yuan had suffered a leg fracture in a traffic accident while on the job. Despite the injury, he only took a brief 10-day break before resuming work, according to another colleague, Zhao Hua. Yuan had moved to Hangzhou from Hubei province to support his family, including his 16-year-old son who is studying in the city.

The official statement from the Xianlin Sub-district Office in Yuhang district confirmed Yuan’s death despite emergency medical efforts. “The food delivery platform, the insurance company, and the family have reached an agreement. Follow-up arrangements are being handled in an orderly manner,” the statement read.

However, the incident has sparked widespread outrage online, with many lamenting the harsh realities faced by delivery workers.

Yuan’s story is not an isolated one. The delivery industry in China, which saw its workforce surpass 10 million last year, is rife with stories of gruelling work schedules and insufficient protections.

The incident in Hangzhou is not the first to raise concerns. In August, another delivery driver in the city was publicly humiliated when a security guard confiscated his electric bike keys for cutting through a residential green area to save time. Desperate to avoid delays, the driver was seen kneeling and pleading for his keys, an act that incited protests from his fellow riders demanding an apology.