20-11-2023 (BANGKOK)A 14-year-old boy, known by the pseudonym Mr. Thon, residing in Chakrat District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, suffered a severe injury when he was struck by a fish dart measuring approximately one foot in length. The dart penetrated the center of his face, between his eyebrows, leaving him in a critical condition. Local villagers promptly alerted Rescue Hook 31 Korat for immediate assistance, and he was swiftly transported to Chakrat Hospital before being transferred to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
The incident is believed to have occurred during a fishing outing, where the young victim inadvertently hit a fish with a dart. The dart ricocheted and struck him in the face. However, it remains unclear whether the dart was fired by a friend or if the injured individual accidentally shot himself.
Upon arrival at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Mr. Thon was rushed to the emergency resuscitation room. Hospital staff coordinated with Rescue Unit Hook 31 Nakhon Ratchasima to acquire plasma cutting equipment, utilizing an air system for precise cutting. The objective was to remove a portion of the dart, as it had become lodged deep into the skull, endangering his life. Due to the complexity of the situation, surgical removal was not immediately possible.
After successfully cutting off a section of the dart, doctors expedited the injured teenager to undergo a CT scan to assess his condition and plan for the dart’s removal. Today, on November 20th, the neurosurgery department employed state-of-the-art surgical equipment that allowed for a non-invasive procedure, eliminating the need to open the skull. This advanced technique facilitated a rapid recovery, and the dart was successfully extracted. Mr. Thon’s condition is now stable.
However, given the unhygienic nature of fish darts and the fact that it penetrated the brain, the medical team is closely monitoring his progress and keeping a vigilant eye on any potential complications.
