A father-of-three is clinging to life after a horrifying 20-foot fall onto a six-inch metal fence spike that impaled his chest, puncturing both lungs in a freak accident.
Lee Halpin, 45, was attempting to retrieve a football from a neighbour's garden in Washington, Tyne and Wear, when the unthinkable happened. The ladder he was on slipped, sending him plummeting onto the deadly spike below.
The spike pierced straight through his chest, narrowly missing his heart by mere millimetres. The impact was so severe it caused catastrophic internal injuries, including two collapsed lungs.
A Desperate Fight for Survival
Rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, Lee was immediately put into an induced coma to save his life. Surgeons performed a gruelling six-hour operation to carefully remove the spike and begin the immense task of repairing the devastation left behind.
His family has been warned that his recovery will be a long and arduous journey, filled with multiple surgeries and an uncertain future.
A Family's Agony
His heartbroken partner, Kayley Jefferson, 35, is now keeping a constant vigil by his bedside. She described the moment she saw the harrowing scene, saying the spike was "sticking out of his chest".
"The doctors have told us it's a miracle he's alive," Kayley revealed. "It missed his heart by millimetres. He's got a massive hole in his chest and they don't know how much use of his arm he'll get back."
The devoted dad, who works as a window cleaner, now faces a future where he may never be able to return to his trade, leaving the family's finances in a precarious state.
A Community Rallies
With the family's primary breadwinner unable to work, a close friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help Kayley and their three young children stay afloat amidst mounting bills and the emotional turmoil. The campaign highlights the long road to recovery ahead and the financial strain the family now endures.
Lee's story is a shocking reminder of how a single, everyday moment can turn into a life-or-death tragedy in an instant.
