Surprising Survival: Man Found with Crossbow Bolt in Forehead

A healthcare worker in Ancona, Italy, was left in disbelief after a 64-year-old man was discovered with a crossbow bolt lodged in his forehead. Identified as a crossbow enthusiast, the man was found only after a family member alerted the police. He had gone two days without eating or drinking, yet when he arrived at the hospital, he was still conscious.

Dr. Maurizio Iacongeli, the neurosurgery director at Torett Hospital, noted that when the man arrived, he was awake with open eyes, though he was speaking incoherently at times.

“The arrows made it difficult for him to move his head,” Iacoangeli explained. “If the arrows hadn’t followed the right path, they could have affected critical areas of the brain and caused instantaneous death.” He described the situation as both astonishing and precarious.

While examining the CT scan, Iacoangeli mentioned feeling a mix of shock and fascination. “I saw this arrow—a dark, straight line stretching from his forehead to the back of his neck. It seemed to follow a deliberate path, lengthier but safer, guiding us to avoid a vital point.” This unexpected route was crucial for the man’s survival.

Doctors emphasized that the crossbow bolt was made from carbon fiber, which played a role in preventing more severe damage. “We didn’t encounter artifacts that obscured our scans,” said Iacoangeli. “This clarity helped us plan the surgical procedure effectively. It’s not about just removing it; it’s also about doing so with minimal bleeding.” The design of the arrow worked in their favor, allowing for a safer extraction process.

Eventually, a colleague of Iacoangeli successfully removed the bolt using advanced surgical techniques.