Diver Survives Accidentally Shooting Himself In The Head With A Spear

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES

Shocking pictures show the immediate aftermath of an horrific incident that left a scuba diver with a bolt from his spear gun shot straight through his head.

The horrendous accident occurred on 31 August when South African pastor Connie Hallowell was out underwater collecting fishing sinkers near Scottburgh Beach.

It's pretty common to carry a spear gun on such an excursion, but on this occasion it accidentally went off and passed straight through his head, narrowly avoiding his brain in the process.

Basically, he's been pretty damn lucky.

The trigger activated when the gun had been laid down briefly on the sea floor and discharged the spear into his face. It's not a small thing either. The spear is about two metres long.

Despite suffering a horrific injury, the diver managed not to blind himself, despite the bolt passing right behind his eyes. If it was on purpose, it'd have been one hell of a shot.

Hallowell was then forced to crawl back to the beach where locals used an angle grinder to shorten down the spear.

The scuba diver was then taken to the hospital via the air ambulance before being transported to another hospital in Pietermaritzburg where the spear was finally removed.

After the incident, Hallowell recorded a video in which he thanked well-wishers for their kind words and prayers.

He told the South Coast Herald: "Hi guys, thanks for all the prayers really appreciate it.

"I'm doing very, very well. I'm good, I'm recovering, looking forward to seeing you guys soon. God bless, bye."

Miraculously - particularly given that he's a pastor - he is expected to make a full recovery. That means that despite going all the way through his head, his brain was left undamaged.

Speaking to East Coast Radio, he explained what caused the unfortunate mishap.

Hallowell said: "For me to shoot myself is physically impossible. The gun was on the floor lying next to me, there was quite a big wave that surprised me and the gun as well.

"It knocked the gun against some reef and triggered the trigger, and it shot in my face."

Yuck. It doesn't bear thinking about.

Speaking to The Times, he also said: "I just thought let me stay awake.

"I screamed for people to help me while I walked back towards the shore."

He was due to be released from hospital yesterday (2 September). Fair play, he's had an incredible escape.

Featured Image Credit: Connie Hallowell

Topics: World News, Weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekends he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim