Survivor, Apparently Unhurt, Rescued From Rubble After 11 Days

[tekisui]

Source: CNN

Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- French rescue workers pulled a 24-year-old man alive from the rubble of a hotel in Haiti on Saturday, 11 days after an earthquake devastated much of the country.

Wismond Jean-Pierre, who had no visible injuries but was severely dehydrated, was immediately loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Lt. Col. Christophe Renou, a rescuer with the French team, called the three-hour effort "a miracle" as he was briefly overcome with emotion. Other members of the team -- assisted by American and Greek workers -- were seen weeping with joy following the rescue.

More w/ incredible video: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/23/haiti.earthquake/index.html

[KharmaTrain]

1. These Stories Are Amazing...

It's a testimony to the human spirit.

I can't stand being comfined for an hour, how does someone endure for days on end with no food or water. It's also a shame that the destitution of the country delayed serious rescue operations for days.

[jbnow]

3. He was trapped with Coke and beer and some food rescuers said

Christiane Amanpour interviewed rescuers. They wanted to understand how he came out OK and after he was out they looked into where he was trapped. They said by luck he was in a part that had some groceries, including Coke and Beer

The troublesome part was Amanpour said there were reports that his brother and others had been trying to get someone to come there for days because they heard his voice inside. Rescuer agreed that was true and when asked why no one came until this time he said something about they couldn't due to security, the area had not been secure.
Now he had a thick French accent so I hope I misheard (which I really, really doubt) but they will have more of interview on her show today. Maybe they security meant...they couldn't move more rubble without the building falling, they had to get more equipment to do it without having more fall on trapped guy... anything but that "security thing" that kept relief from getting to people, left CNN ctew alone with patients (luckily with their doctor!) as doctors took equipment and left overnight due to "security". Please God, not that security.

Isn't there some central numbers where doctors and media and rescue workers can contact to get what they need from UN or supply person at airport or US military?
Hell Sanjay Gupta went to airport to look for supplies and there were volumes of medical supplies. He left with a big bag full. There were tons of antibiotics and pain meds and other meds, sterile dressing, surgical equipment. The military runs airport and the boxes of supplies were very organized but the UN is in charge of things being distributed. Not that the military won't distribute but the UN has to tell them to.
Along same line UM has to order security. US military can only defend themselves but UN could get them to go to where a survivor was trapped... a bunch standing there with guns would certainly keep rescuers safe.

I DON'T GET IT!!!

[KharmaTrain]

5. This Disaster Couldn't Have Happened In A Worse Place...

There's no question that security was a problem, as it would be in any major urban area where you have a lot of displaced people and little civil authority. Remember, when the walls shook, it took down the entire government and its command and control structure. Several thousand prisoners walked out of the central jail and mercanary security forces...meaning individuals or paid security were on their own. I am impressed that there wasn't more violence than what I've seen/heard...but we're not out of the woods, yet.

Remember, this is a country with poor roads and many of the major routes were filled with rubble and people making moving about in large groups difficult. There wasn't much earth and rubble moving equipment until in recent days and its still tough going to get into some of the hardest hit areas. Thus the only means to rescue...and we saw a lot of it was elbow grease...whatever people could dig out with their hands and simple tools. Removing large objects, especially concrete had to wait until the obstacles of getting machines, access and then security were done.

It's not really fair to pick on the journalists who are covering this story for their ability to get around as it's a lot easier for a reporter and cameraman to get into and out of areas compared to a large truck or group of people. Many also rely on locals...both as interpreters and guides and with it comes a little safety. Above all, these people are putting a light on a very dark situation...one that in the past would have been ignored by the rest of the world...outta sight outta mind. These images are what is spurring on the millions of dollars and supplies into the country. Sadly, the moment those cameras go off, the story fades and that's when the hard part of rebuilding begins.

Cheers...

[MineralMan]

2. Sadly, most of these late recoveries will die. The severe

dehydration damages the kidneys, which cannot recover. We won't hear about these deaths, though.

[endless october]

4. hope that he makes a full recovery and has a long life.