Pittsburgh Tree Trimmer Survives Having Chainsaw Cut 2 Inches Into His Neck

The 21-year-old Maryland native, who has been living in Pittsburgh since January, was sawing down a Scotch pine tree 20 feet above the ground when he angled his saw to avoid hitting power lines ahead and the power tool kicked back and sent the blade two inches into his neck.

Via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The saw kickback “nicked my shoulder and chewed into my neck,” Mr. Valentine said Tuesday from his hospital bed at Allegheny General Hospital. “It was the worst pain you could ever imagine

The blade and chain were embedded 2 inches deep into the neck muscle just above the collarbone, raising concern whether it had damaged the carotid artery, the major artery in the neck to the head. When damaged or severed, it quickly can cause a person to bleed to death.

So the race began shortly after the 2:30 p.m. accident, which involved efforts from three coworkers, seven paramedics, along with police officers and medical officials, all of them at the top of their game, officials said.

Mr. Valentine held the chainsaw in place with his right hand while hugging the trunk with his left arm to descend 5 feet in his rope harness with cleats on his shoes. Coworkers controlling the rope lowered him gently to sitting position on the ground. He leaned against one coworker, while another held the chainsaw steady. A third coworker worked to unbolt the blade from the heavy chainsaw motor without moving the blade.

Thank God there were some quick thinking people on the scene who were able to help rather than panic! Fortunately the hospital was also well prepared for his injury:

Christine Toevs, a trauma surgeon and medical director of the trauma unit, said medical personnel had just minutes to summon the Central Blood Bank for blood supplies, prepare equipment to capture blood for reuse, get a vascular surgeon in place and prepare other resources.

They were expecting the worst. Chainsaw injuries to the neck can severely damage the carotid, trachea, esophagus and spine. Upon arrival, Mr. Valentine underwent surgery to have the blade and chain removed. Dr. Toevs said the blade missed the carotid by less than half an inch.

“He is extraordinarily lucky and very blessed,” she said during a Tuesday news conference.

His injuries required stitches and staples numbering in the 30s, she said, attributing his good condition to the efforts of coworkers and emergency officials.

Follow me on Twitter: @effiongeton