Hou Quanlin, 43, survived the tragedy, with a mildly sprained ankle. But he lost his nephew in the incident. He is now being treated at Yima People's Hospital, one of four hospitals receiving survivors.

Nightmares

The injured and the bodies of the dead were sent to four nearby hospitals. Four of the 11 injured people were treated at Yima People's Hospital.

In one ward, truck driver Chen Gangsheng was in a coma, an oxygen mask clamped to his face. Under the white bed sheet that covered him, Chen had injuries to his lungs and liver, plus a number of broken ribs.

He sustained the injuries when his truck careered off the bridge. Chen was trapped in the driver's cabin but was pulled free by the driver of another truck. He had been directly behind Chen's truck, but was able to brake just before reaching the broken section of the bridge.

Feng Junke had been sitting next to Chen. He was thrown out of the cabin and died on the way to hospital.

Xiao Jianmin, 52, was luckier. The resident of Zhengzhou in Henan province was traveling with two friends. The three of them were trapped in their car after it fell off the bridge, but one of the men managed to scramble out and then helped Xiao. The two men were almost unscathed and with the help of villagers, pulled out their friend, who was more seriously injured.

Xiao has been tortured by nightmares since the accident, said his wife, Wang Mailian. He is unable to sleep and so spends the nights crying nonstop. Doctors have now suggested that he seek help from psychological counselors, she said.

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