A 19-year-old individual is now in stable condition following a 7-hour medical procedure after miraculously surviving a freak accident in Bantiles, Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City at around 2:00pm yesterday, March 16. In a scene reminiscent of a “Final Destination” movie, the victim was walking along the National Highway when a pick-up truck suddenly veered off course, crashing into a barricade containing construction materials. The impact caused several deformed rebars to dislodge, resulting in three of them piercing the victim’s body.
The victim was identified as John Eric Lucagbo, a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Puerto while the driver of the pick-up was identified as Bonifacio Romulo Putoy Jr., 57, a resident of nearby Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
Responding rescue units successfully extricated the victim from the steel bars and rushed him to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) where doctors performed emergency operation. Based on an info from Reynaldo Mangle, the victim is now in stable condition following an almost 7-hour operation Saturday night. He will now be under observation for 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the driver was detained at the nearby police station. He however, was cooperative and vowed to shoulder the medical expenses of the victim.
This is the initial findings of the rescue teams.
Injuries Sustained:
- Inguinal Area through and through at his right upper thigh: One rebar had impaled the patient’s Right Inguinal Area, traversing through and through to his right upper thigh, resulting in significant bleeding and potential damage to surrounding tissues.
- Upper Gastric Area Penetrating to Right Lower Chest: Another rebar penetrated the patient’s upper gastric area, extending into his right chest cavity, posing a risk of internal organ damage and pneumothorax.
- Upper Gastric Area Penetrating Right Upper Shoulder: The third rebar had pierced the patient’s upper gastric area, reaching his upper shoulder region, potentially affecting major blood vessels and nerves.
Here’s a sample of the construction materials (for drainage work) which struck the victim.
Photos below (by Bfp RX Ems Cofd) show emergency personnel from the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) attending to the victim.
The victim now at the ambulance before being rushed to the hospital.
Below are screengrabs of a video uploaded by Sherlie Sevilla Paca immediately after the incident before the arrival of paramedics. The victim was conscious and able to talk but was grimacing in pain. Onlookers continuously tell the victim not to move and stay awake while emergency units are on the way.
