vex
05-05-2004, 12:57 PM
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Builder survives nailgun accident
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40117000/jpg/_40117643_nailxray203.jpg This X-ray was taken one hour after the accident
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA -->A construction worker has miraculously survived after six nails were embedded in his skull.
Isidro Mejia, 39, was rushed to hospital after his nailgun accidentally went off, shooting nails into his head.
Newspaper reports say doctors at Providence Holy Cross Hospital in Los Angeles had feared for his life when he arrived.
But Mr Mejia is now out of intensive care and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Extensive surgery
Surgeons removed the six nails over the course of five days.
"Four of the nails were embedded in his skull," said hospital spokesman Brian Green.
<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif</TD><TD class=sibtbg>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif With injuries like that, he should have been dead http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif
Brian Green,
Providence Holy Cross Hospital
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->"Another was in his spinal column. Surgeons worked round the clock to take the nails out one by one.
"It was a very delicate process and was not completed for five days.
"The neurosurgeon who operated on Isidro could not believe he was still alive.
"With injuries like that, he should have been dead. He has been taken out of intensive care and although still groggy and on medication is expected to make a full recovery.
"His wife and family are obviously delighted that he survived and are looking forward to getting home," he said.
According to the reports, police have launched an investigation. However, they believe it was a bizarre accident.
"His colleagues said Isidro was using a nailgun that has both manual and fully automatic settings," said deputy sheriff Dan McPherson. "It appears he slipped and fired into his skull."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
hxxp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3685791.stm
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40117000/jpg/_40117643_nailxray203.jpg This X-ray was taken one hour after the accident
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA -->A construction worker has miraculously survived after six nails were embedded in his skull.
Isidro Mejia, 39, was rushed to hospital after his nailgun accidentally went off, shooting nails into his head.
Newspaper reports say doctors at Providence Holy Cross Hospital in Los Angeles had feared for his life when he arrived.
But Mr Mejia is now out of intensive care and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Extensive surgery
Surgeons removed the six nails over the course of five days.
"Four of the nails were embedded in his skull," said hospital spokesman Brian Green.
<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif</TD><TD class=sibtbg>http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif With injuries like that, he should have been dead http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif
Brian Green,
Providence Holy Cross Hospital
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->"Another was in his spinal column. Surgeons worked round the clock to take the nails out one by one.
"It was a very delicate process and was not completed for five days.
"The neurosurgeon who operated on Isidro could not believe he was still alive.
"With injuries like that, he should have been dead. He has been taken out of intensive care and although still groggy and on medication is expected to make a full recovery.
"His wife and family are obviously delighted that he survived and are looking forward to getting home," he said.
According to the reports, police have launched an investigation. However, they believe it was a bizarre accident.
"His colleagues said Isidro was using a nailgun that has both manual and fully automatic settings," said deputy sheriff Dan McPherson. "It appears he slipped and fired into his skull."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
hxxp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3685791.stm