Brazilian Construction Worker Survives As Iron Bar Pierces Skull

A 24 year old construction worker, Eduardo Leite survived after a 6-foot metal bar fell from above him and pierced his skull on Wednesday last week.

Luiz Essinger of Rio de Janeiro's Miguel Couto Hospital Friday told the Globo TV network that doctor's successfully withdrew the iron bar during a five-hour-long surgery.

"He was taken to the operating room, his skull was opened, they examined the brain and the surgeon decided to pull the metal bar out from the front in the same direction it entered the brain." Essinger said.

He said Leite was conscious when he arrived at the hospital and told him what had happened.

The bar fell from the fifth floor of a building under construction, went through Leite's hard hat, entered the back of his skull and exited between his eyes, Essinger said, adding: "It really was a miracle" that Leite survived.

He said Leite was lucid and showed no negative consequences after the operation.

Photo: Miguel Couto Hospital / AP