Article from: The Australian
https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/science/Sumatra earthquake man gave up leg, but lived.
IF the rumbling earth brought down an immovable concrete block on top of your leg, trapping you in the rubble, how far would you be prepared to go to survive?
When the Sumatra earthquake hit Padang city, 18-year-old Ramlan tried to flee the seventh floor of a construction site where he had been working, but was trapped when a concrete grinder fell onto the lower part of his leg.
Knowing there would be aftershocks and he had no chance of survival if he remained in the crumbling building, Ramlan decided the only way to escape was to cut off his leg.
The communications director of Caritas Australia, Tim O'Connor, told The Weekend Australian yesterday that of all the survival tales from the September 30 Sumatra quake, Ramlan's story was one of the most remarkable.
"Reaching around in the rubble, Ramlan's hand grasped a hoe. Bracing against the pain he hacked it into his leg. The pain was excruciating. But after several attempts he realised the hoe was too blunt," Mr O'Connor said.
Ramlan used his mobile to call his friend and co-worker Eman, who had escaped from the site.
Eman, 53, raced to his friend, found a wood saw and handed it to Ramlan, who attempted to saw through his own leg again, but could not endure the pain.
"Eman took the saw, and unperturbed proceeded to the gruesome task of successfully amputating the leg and freeing Ramlan," Mr O'Connor said.
Thanks to his mate's aid and his own bravery, Ramlan is now recovering in hospital.
 

I wonder how much pain I could endure to save my life??

Being a complete coward with a yellow streak a mile wide running down my spineless back....lol.....I'd probably be dead!!!