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Man lives after 26 hours stuck in well

Liu Ching-te sees daylight as he is rescued yesterday afternoon, after having been buried under rubble for 26 hours. Liu, 66, was trapped when inspecting a well construction site at Chunghsing Farm in Hsinshe Township, Taichung County. PHOTO: CNA

After being trapped under rubble for 26 hours when a well construction site collapsed in Taichung County, construction worker Liu Ching-te (劉敬德) was saved after a harrowing rescue yesterday evening.

Wearing a yellow helmet, Liu was pulled out amidst applause from family members and rescue workers.

Liu was immediately injected with glucose after his rescue and taken to the hospital, where doctors said that he had inhaled a lot of dirt and was suffering from dehydration.

As of press time, Liu was undergoing checkups for internal bleeding and doctors said he will remain under observation for one week in the hospital.

Liu, 66, was investigating the well at Chunghsing Farm (中興牧場) in Hsinshe (新社) Township when it collapsed around 3pm on Wednesday afternoon.

He was buried from his chest down in a 9m-deep hole, with a diameter of less than 1m.

Liu's cousin, Chang Tien-su (張天賜) attempted to make the rescue by venturing into the collapsed site, but a second cave-in caused Chang to be trapped 5m below the surface.

The workers at the site said that they did not contact rescuers immediately, but tried to rescue Liu on their own.

Rescuers arrived at the site around 5pm yesterday afternoon and successfully rescued Chang, 63, early yesterday morning. Chang was sent to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for arm and leg injuries.

The rescuers stopped using machinery to remove the rubble after hearing Liu's voice calling out for help around 10am in the morning yesterday.

Liu's four sons, removing rubble with their bare hands, joined the search for their father and discovered him, still conscious, soon after.

Liu, weak but obviously relieved, was able to communicate with his family members at the site and complained of chest and stomach pains from being under the rocks.

Boards were propped up around the hole to avoid further cave-ins and a ventilation pipe pumped air into the hole to provide fresh air for Liu.

Rescuers did not pull Liu out right away, even after uncovering his legs, fearing that they could cause internal bleeding.

Liu's 80-year-old sister was also at the site, praying while she waited for his safe rescue.

Around 6pm yesterday, after being trapped for 26 hours, rescuers were able to hoist Liu out with a crane.

Chang, who watched the live coverage of the rescue from the hospital, was relieved to hear the news of Liu's rescue. Liu's family said that they were thankful for the miracle.
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