Ma Yuanjiang, a power plant executive, was rescued just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday from the rubble in Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province, nearly 179 hours after the May 12 earthquake.

He was lying with catheters inserted in his body in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, affiliated with the Third Military Medical University on Tuesday evening. His eyes were covered.

Ma, a power generation department deputy director of the Yingxiu Bay Hydro-Power Plant, was rushed to the hospital in Chongqing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday by a helicopter-ambulance relay.

His internal organs were in good condition, but the left forearm had to be amputated. He also suffered from soft tissue infections, said hospital president Wang Weidong after a consultation by more than 20 experts.

After being buried in debris for 179 hours, Ma's body was "as fragile as that of a newborn baby. Every drop of liquid into and from the body, even an emotional reaction, could lead to death," according to Wang.

Ma's urine and transfusion were measured by "millipounds per hour," Wang added. "The next 12 hours are crucial for Ma's survival. The patient's survival was the first half of a miracle, now we are trying to do the second."

Wang also applauded rescuers on site for giving professional first aid to Ma. "He could have died at once from any improper treatment."

Ma was surprisingly able to speak after being rescued, and shortly after he began to eat a little, said Wu Geng, Ma's colleague and also head of the power plant, who was at the rescue spot.