A 32-year-old Ohio father of two has miraculously survived a freak accident that occurred during routine maintenance work, and he has shared his harrowing experience. Phillip Pohle was clearing trees from a road at Hocking Hills State Park in March when his foot became trapped on the gas pedal of a front loader. The machine forced a tree branch into his neck, tearing his skull away from his spine and causing an internal decapitation.
Thoughts of His Children
Trapped in the machine and awaiting help, unsure if he would survive, Pohle said he thought of his children. 'I started thinking of my children because it was really nice being a dad. I just thought how much I was going to miss them, miss my babies,' Pohle told WBNS.
Emergency Response
First responders rushed to save Pohle, stabilizing his neck while crews hacked the branch away with a chainsaw. The odds were stacked against him: an ambulance was 20 minutes away, and a medical helicopter was grounded by weather. He was later rushed to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where he underwent major surgery to stabilize his skull to his spine.
Surgery and Recovery
Surgeons used plates, screws, and rods, but still feared he might not survive or walk again. Neurosurgeon Dr. Victor Awuor told WBNS that half of patients with this type of injury die at the scene. 'The other 50 percent who make it to the hospital, a significant amount of those are paralyzed,' the neurosurgeon said. Despite the grim circumstances, Pohle survived and made an extraordinary recovery. He has since relearned how to walk unassisted and said he likely would have died if he had been alone that day.
Community Support
A GoFundMe campaign was set up for Pohle's medical expenses and recovery, raising over $15,000 toward a $30,000 goal. A benefit in his honor will also be organized. The fundraiser stated: 'Phillip Pohle, 32 years old, who was struck by a tree on March 13th while removing downed trees at his job at ODNR doing maintenance at Hocking Hills State Park. He ended up internally decapitated with a broken vertebra in his neck. Phillip was taken to Hocking Valley Hospital, then transferred to Grant in Columbus, where Phillip has been ever since.'
Pohle and his girlfriend, Haley, share two small children together. Haley is a stay-at-home mother, according to the GoFundMe. 'They could use all the help and support that can be given at this moment, even if it's just a share. Phillip has always been a tremendous worker for ODNR for 2 years now and enjoyed his job. This was such a fast-devastating blow to their little family, and now the world rests on Haley's shoulders. We're simply trying to help soften the blow of stress so she can spend as much time as possible with Phillip and also her children,' the page continued.
A Message of Reflection
Hoping for a speedy recovery and to eventually return to work, Pohle shared a message of reflection after narrowly escaping death. 'Love deeply and have a grace with people. Be patient, be kind. Tomorrow is not guaranteed,' he told the outlet.
