Assalam Alekium: Man survives iron stake to the chest in Dagestan, Russia

A man has defied all odds and narrowly escaped death after a horror building site accident in which he fell backwards on an enormous iron rod that pierced through his chest.

Assalam Alekium, 24, was at work on a site in Dagestan, Russia, when the near-fatal incident occurred.

He lay skewered and in agony, but alive, because miraculously the rod had missed his heart by millimetres.

Not only did it miss his heart, but it also avoided all of his major organs and internal structures.

Emergency services were called and Mr Alekium was treated at the scene, but being stuck in place by the pole meant a team had to use grinders to cut through the metal fixing it to the ground, The Mirror reported.

This meant he could be moved from the site, without pulling the pole out and causing more damage.

The local health ministry said the rod went “right through” Mr Alekium’s chest “having penetrated from the back on the left” and exiting “in the front on the right”.

“The wound channel ran through the projection of vital organs and structures.”

When he arrived at hospital Mr Alekium went into surgery in immediately, with his life at risk because of internal bleeding.

“A wide opening of the chest was performed, the integrity of vital organs and structures was restored, internal bleeding was stopped. Surgical treatment of the affected bones and soft tissues was performed.”

Despite the difficulty, the surgery was successful, and doctors managed to remove the metal rod safely.

Soon after, Mr Alekium began the long process of recovery. He remains in hospital now, but is “confidently recovering and preparing for discharge”.

Mr Alekium said he feels “good”, and had high praise for the medical team.

“Thanks to all the doctors. They helped me a lot, they gave me [life],” he said.