Electrocution victim out of induced coma after latest amputation
Sabryna Mongeon is conscious and out of her induced coma after the successful amputation of a section of her right leg on Wednesday.
Sabryna, 18, cannot speak because she is intubated, but she is aware of her surroundings and understands conversation directed at her.
Though they kept the conversation light, her older sister Samantha said, “she is in the process of realizing what has happened to her.”
There is no timeline for her release as doctors are treating her burns, caused by the electric shock, and monitoring her condition.
Sabryna had spent Christmas Eve visiting her mother in Luskville, Que., and was returning home to Gatineau via Outaouais back roads when she crashed into a hydro pole.
She was not injured in the crash, but fearing that her car would catch fire, she got out, only to be electrocuted by a massive charge from the downed wires through her hands and feet. The charge destroyed her left foot.
The teen eventually managed to crawl back into her vehicle, where she was discovered four hours later by a snowplow operator. Hours in the freezing temperatures had severely injured her arms and legs.
An ambulance took Sabryna to the Hôpital de Hull, where she was placed in an induced coma for transfer to specialized facilities at Montreal’s Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM).
At CHUM, she was briefly revived and faced a decision from doctors: the amputation of her four limbs, or to be left untreated and die.
“She said clearly, ‘Yes I want to live. I don’t want to die,’ ” Samantha told this newspaper.
Since arriving at CHUM, Sabryna’s left arm has been amputated above the elbow, and her right arm was removed up to her forearm. Her left leg has been amputated just above her knee and her right leg was amputated Wednesday.
So far, more than $140,000 has been raised for the Mongeon family in an internet fundraising drive.
“I can’t even imagine that people are so gentle and generous,” Samantha said.
Sabryna is not yet aware that any money has been raised, but the Mongeon family expects her to be thrilled by the news. The family has remained optimistic about Sabryna’s recovery, saying: “Sabryna’s a very strong woman, and she’ll be all right.”
Since her accident, Hydro- Québec has released precautionary steps to take in the event of a collision with a hydro pole. The utility recommends you stay in the car unless there is a fire, in which case you should jump, feet together, as far away from the vehicle as possible. Always assume the power lines have power coursing through them. If you see a fallen power line, stay at least three metres away and call 911. For more information, visit hydroquebec.com.
Donations for Sabryna can be made at www.onedollargift.com/ ca-fr/Reve- Grave-accident-de-laroute…-26542.