A Chinese woman who fell into an abandoned well in central China survived for 15 days on raw corn and rain water, local authorities said today.
Su Qixiu, 38, was rescued today from the bottom of the well in Zhongfeng Village, Xiayi County in Henan Province.
Su survived by eating raw corn she was carrying when she fell. Two rain showers during the period gave here enough water to drink, according to her husband.
The well is about one metre in diameter and four meters deep. It is encircled by lush cornstalks and is difficult to see. The wall of the well is too smooth to climb, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
Su, who was found lying on her back with eyes open, was astonishingly skinny, Chen Kui, a firefighter who participated in the rescue, said.
"Hungry! I'm hungry," said a feeble voice after Chen went down the well. Chen asked her if she could move. She did not reply but extended her hands.
Although Su did not have any obvious injuries, she still could not speak or eat. Function of her internal organs has not recovered, but she is in stable condition and receiving fluids, the report said.
She had gone out out to pick herbs after lunch on September 1 and did not come back that day.
Her family began searching for her the next day but all in vain, the husband said.
