By Wang Zhenghua (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-22 07:17

CHENGDU: A woman trapped in a tunnel was rescued nine days after the May 12 quake - and was the only survivor found yesterday.

Cui Changhui, 35, had been trapped in a water diversion tunnel at the hydropower plant construction site in Hongbai town in Shifang, Xinhua reported.

She was airlifted to a hospital with multiple fractures in her right arm, ribs and lower back, but doctor Pu Jinhui said her injuries were not life-threatening, according to the report.

The report did not make mention of family members or how the rescue operation was conducted.

Another woman, found on Tuesday after being trapped in the rubble for 196 hours, is also in hospital and doctors said her condition was fine.

Wang Youqiong, 60, is in ICU at Huaxi Hospital and being fed fluid food.

Her condition yesterday was said to be much better than when she was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday night.

"It's a miracle, absolutely," said Tian Yongming, a senior nurse at the hospital.

"She has a strong desire to live. That's why she was saved after being trapped so long without food and water."

The retiree, who had slight bruises on her head, survived on rainwater.

She also suffered mental trauma and is occasionally incoherent for which she is being given pacifying doses. "We're keeping a close watch on her. Sometimes she communicates with us and, other times, she just talks to herself," Tian said.

In the ambulance to the hospital, the woman remained conscious and clearly spelled out her son's phone number, said Cheng Yijuan, the director of the hospital's nursing department.

Wang's daughter Zeng Linghua is overjoyed that her mother is alive although she said Wang "is now skinny" after spending so many days in debris.

Zeng said her mother was rescued by troops who found her under huge rocks caused by mudslides.

"When we found her, two dogs were nearby, and she could still speak," said rescuer Sha Qingquan. "She was very excited, saying she had been waiting (for help)."

In the ambulance Wang recalled that after the quake, she and other worshippers ran out of a temple but found themselves surrounded by mudslides and rock falls.

All the others died, leaving only Wang, kept alive by rainwater and perhaps the licking of the dogs.

Xinhua contributed to the story

(China Daily 05/22/2008 page1)