After falling in a well and being trapped for 15 days, Su Qixiu was found alive Monday. How did she survive? She lived off corn-cobs and rainwater for just over two weeks.
Reuters reports that Su accidentally fell down the well in central China while picking medicinal herbs and couldn't climb out herself because the walls were too slippery. The small well was hidden by corn, which made it hard to find her.
BBC further reports that as she fell in the well, she reached for some corn stalks, allowing corn to drop down the well with her, probably saving her life.
"There was nothing [in the well], [so I] ate a bit of raw corn and called for help every day," Su said. "I spent every day hoping that someone would walk by and rescue me. I called out every day, and although there was no response, I did not give up."
Although the 38-year-old could hardly speak when she was finally pulled out by a firefighter, she didn't seem to have any injuries. She is currently stable and getting treatment at a local hospital.
Her husband Li Qunming told reporters that “she was originally 115lb (52kg), now she's so thin I'm afraid she may not even weigh 80lb (36kg).” The firefighter who rescued her confirmed that she looked thin and sickly when he pulled her out.
According to AFP, the Chinese woman was found after her family searched for her for days and nearby villagers heard her screaming for help from inside the well.