Woman survives being shot in head with harpoon

A Brazilian woman miraculously survived after her husband accidentally shot her in the mouth with a harpoon.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2013, 08:22 BST
Rio de Janeiro health authorities released a picture showing the spear that was accidentally shot through the mouth of Elisangela Borborema Rosa. Picture: APRio de Janeiro health authorities released a picture showing the spear that was accidentally shot through the mouth of Elisangela Borborema Rosa. Picture: AP
Rio de Janeiro health authorities released a picture showing the spear that was accidentally shot through the mouth of Elisangela Borborema Rosa. Picture: AP

The Rio de Janeiro State Health Department said Elisangela Borborema Rosa’s husband was cleaning his spear gun when it went off, firing a harpoon that hit her cervical spine.

Mrs Rosa, 28, was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery after the incident in the coastal city of Arraial do Cabo.

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Neurosurgeon Allan da Costa said the harpoon came within 1cm of killing her, but expects her to make a full recovery.

A police spokeswoman in Arrial do Cabo said officers were looking into the case.

“Everything indicates it was an accident, but we are investigating. We don’t think the husband tried to kill her,” she said.

“But once she fully recovers we will be able to question her and get a clearer picture of what happened.”