Indonesian man survives quake by sawing off own leg

An 18-year-old construction worker trapped in the rubble of a building that collapsed during the earthquake in Indonesia escaped after sawing off his own leg. Ramlan, from Padang, was working on the seventh floor of a building under construction when the quake hit the city on 30 September.

The teenager's leg was crushed beneath a falling concrete girder as he and his colleagues were attempting to flee the building, leaving him trapped and alone. Ramlan attempted to pull his leg free so he could escape to safety, but found himself trapped. He was able to reach a hoe, and began to hack at his leg, but the blade was too blunt to penetrate the bone.

Fortunately, his mobile phone had survived undamaged, and Ramlan was able to telephone his friend and colleague Eman, who returned to the building to help. Eman, 53, located a trowel, and handed it to Ramlan, who continued to hack at the crushed limb, but again found he could not penetrate the bone. Eman then found him a saw, and Ramlan began to saw through his leg, but was too weak to continue.


Photo from here.

Eman, who lives in the same street as Ramlan and calls him Adik, which translates as "little brother", took over and amputated the leg before winding his T-shirt around the wound and carrying Ramlan to the Yos Sudarso hospital. Doctors there were able to staunch the bleeding, and performed a more orthodox amputation higher up the limb.

Speaking to Caritas charity worker Tim O'Connor yesterday, Eman said: "I just thought I have to save my friend and I raced back up to where he was. I did not think of the danger, just of the welfare of my friend."

Brendan Gormley from the DEC – made up of 13 UK charities – said Ramlan's bravery was typical of many survivors. "Ramlan's actions were extraordinary and the courage and determination he showed is typical of many survivors with whom we are working."