A county's party secretary in Hunan Province died by accident recently, but there are two different accounts of the reason for his death. According to one, he died when playing golf. The alternative account says he died in a traffic accident after business negotiations at a golf course.

The Hunan-based Xiaoxiang Morning Post said Li Zhen'e, the Party secretary of Changsha County, died at the Qingzhuhu gold course on November 1.

According to a woman living nearby, at about 4:00 pm, an ambulance rushed to the golf course and returned several minutes later. She said a man buying water at her store the next day was overheard mentioning "a golf vehicle", "Li Zhen'e" and "an accident" when speaking on the telephone.

Insiders said Li arrived at the golf course at about 3:00 pm. The staff prepared a golf vehicle for him. Li got in the car first and then the staff loaded golfing equipment into it. But the car suddenly rushed forward and Li fell out on a slope. Li was injured and sent to hospital. At about 7:00 pm that day, he died from his injuries.

Li's funeral ceremony was held on November 4. During the ceremony, Li was said to have "died at his post". Some details were also disclosed.

According to the local Sanxiang Dushibao, Li had discussions with several investors at the golf course that afternoon. After the negotiations, Li and his colleagues drove back to Changsha County at about 4:00 pm, but the car toppled down into a gully. Li suffered a head-injury and died later in the hospital.

(Shanghai Star November 6, 2003)