Horrifying moment when the handle of a squat machine crushes a 42-year-old man’s neck at the Brazilian gym, while the surgeon says there’s a 1 percent chance he’ll ever walk again
- Regilânio da Silva has not regained his mobility in his legs after the handle of a squat machine collapsed on him at a gym in Brazil on Friday
- The 42-year-old underwent surgery to stabilize his neck on Saturday and is in stable condition
- The surgeon who operated on the father of three said there is ‘less than 1% return of motor and sensitive functions’
Dramatic video footage captured the moment a man was seriously injured by a bodybuilding machine at a gym in Brazil, leaving him with a 1 percent chance of ever walking again.
Regilânio da Silva, 42, had just taken a break from his workout and was sitting on the bench when the machine carrying 330 pounds of plates collapsed over his neck Friday at a training facility in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará.
Three men can be seen quickly removing the handle from Da Silva’s back and calling for help as he remains seated on the couch.
Da Silva, a father of three, underwent emergency care at Santo Antônio Hospital for four hours to stabilize his neck.
Regilânio da Silva sits on the squat machine bench just before a jack carrying 300 pounds of plates fell on his neck at a gym in Ceará, Brazil, on Friday. The doctor who operated on the 42-year-old man on Saturday said there is less than a 1 percent chance he will be able to walk again
Regilânio da Silva suffered a serious neck injury on Friday when a squat machine handle with more than 300 pounds of plates fell on his neck at a Brazilian gym
The latest medical update indicated he was in stable condition, but he has no mobility in his legs.
His sister, Maria das Dores, said he has mobility in his arms.
Neurosurgeon Dr. José Correia suggested that the chances of him walking again are very slim.
“It depends a lot initially on the degree of injury, the level of return of previous functions,” said Dr. Correia, as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1.
“Unfortunately there are no motor or sensitive components. It is the most serious injury there is from a neurological damage standpoint. The chance is statistically less than 1% of the efficiency of motor and sensory functions.’
Dr. Correia added that “the thoracolumbar junction, the transition from the ribcage to the lumbar region, has lost bone continuity. It doesn’t touch one bone to the other.’
According to gym 220 FIT, the machine was purchased less than 60 days ago and is in perfect condition.
Gym patrons rush to help 42-year-old Regilânio da Silva once the handle of the bodybuilding machine collapsed on top of his neck
Quick-thinking gym patrons lift the handle off Regilânio da Silva’s neck just after it fell over him
Cícero Aparecido, a manager at the workout facility, said the equipment has side plates with a center lock and that customers performed “conventional squats on the machine instead of freestyle squats.”
Da Silva’s family said loved ones and the gym split the cost of the $7,000 surgery.
They have since created an account on the crowdfunding site Vakinha to raise money for Da Silva’s recovery.
“Let’s pray that Regi recovers quickly and that his progress is blessed by divine grace to regain his leg movements,” the family said.