Rescuers Find Survivor of Australia Slide

THREDBO, Australia — Rescuers eased aside dirt and rubble today to reach a man found alive nearly 2 1/2 days after a landslide buried 20 people.

“A miracle has occurred,” New South Wales Police Inspector Charlie Sanderson said after ski instructor Stuart Diver was heard by rescuers about 54 hours after the landslide swept over a ski resort.

A small hole had been driven through to Diver, and drinking fluids were being sent to him, an ambulance worker said. He was expected to be freed from the wreckage shortly.

The discovery raised hope that others may have survived. The confirmed toll so far is one survivor, three bodies located and 16 people still missing. Hours earlier, police had warned relatives that there was no hope of finding anyone alive.