US tree trimmer goes to hospital with saw in neck

By: 10 years ago

This Monday, March 31, 2014 photo provided by Allegheny Health Network shows an X-ray of a chain saw blade embedded in the neck of a patient, at Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh. James Valentine, a tree trimmer, was in a tree on Monday afternoon when he was struck in the neck by the saw. Another worker helped him down, and his co-workers left the saw in place to try to limit the bleeding. Valentine had emergency surgery and is recovering. AP

PITTSBURGH — A tree trimmer is recovering after he was rushed to a hospital with a chain saw blade embedded in his neck.

James Valentine was in a tree on Monday afternoon when he was struck in the neck by the chain saw. Another worker helped him down, and his co-workers left the saw in place to try to limit the bleeding.

Valentine had emergency surgery. Doctors say the saw missed major arteries and, instead, cut into muscle. A hospital released an X-ray Tuesday showing the saw still in the 21-year-old’s neck.

Valentine works for a tree removal service. Its owner, Dominic Migliozzi, calls the rescue “amazing.”