Man Survives Two Days with Crossbow Bolt in Head

A healthcare worker in Ancona, Italy, was in disbelief when a 64-year-old man was discovered with a crossbow bolt lodged in his forehead. Known for his enthusiasm for crossbows, the man was found after a family member contacted the authorities. Remarkably, he had gone two days without eating or drinking before being rushed to the hospital, where he was, fortunately, conscious.

Dr. Maurizio Iacongeli, the neurosurgery director at Torett Hospital, stated that the man arrived with open eyes, though he was also incoherent. “He was unable to turn his head due to the arrow’s position,” Iacongeli explained. If the bolt had shifted just a millimeter more, it could have hit critical areas of the brain, leading to instant death.

Iacongeli shared, “I was in disbelief as I examined the man’s CT scan. I saw the arrow, a dark line stretching from his forehead to the nape of his neck. It followed a route we’d typically choose during surgery. While it’s longer, it’s safer by avoiding key areas.” Doctors highlighted that the carbon fiber material of the crossbow bolt had contributed to the man’s survival.

The clarity of the CT scans enabled the medical team to better plan the procedure, minimizing risks of excessive bleeding during the removal. “Removing it was tricky, but we managed to do so without complications,” he continued.

Ultimately, a colleague of Iacoangeli utilized military technology to successfully extract the bolt during the operation.