Truck Driver Blown Up Like a Balloon

Big Sarge · 05-25-2011, 07:50 PM

This is a freak accident as reported by ABC News. I'm trying to find a photo.

By NZ correspondent Dominique Schwartz, wires

Posted Wed May 25, 2011 1:09pm AEST

A New Zealand truck driver who inflated "like a balloon" when he fell buttocks-first onto a compressed air nozzle is being described as lucky to be alive.

While working on Saturday, Steven McCormack slipped between the cab and the trailer of his truck and was impaled in the thigh by a high-pressure air cylinder which saw his body pumped full of compressed air.

The 48-year-old Bay of Plenty truckie told the Whakatane Beacon he felt as if he was going to explode and began to scream as his neck, feet and hands swelled up.

"I was blowing up like a football... it felt like I had the bends, like in diving. I had no choice but just to lay there, blowing up like a balloon," he said.

Workmates rushed to Mr McCormack's aid, turning off the compressed air and packing ice around his swollen neck.

Ambulance officers removed the brass nozzle and rushed him to Whakatane Hospital, where a surgeon treated the injury and drained one of his lungs, which had filled with fluid during the ordeal.

Mr McCormack said doctors later told him that the air separated fat from muscle and they were surprised his skin did not burst.

Now recuperating, he told the Beacon his skin felt "like a pork roast", hard and crackly on the outside but soft underneath.

Treating surgeon Dr Barnaby Smith said by the time Mr McCormack arrived at the hospital, the gas had made its way from his thigh, into his abdominal cavity and chest.

"It even tracked as high as his eyelids - he couldn't open them because they were so swollen," he said.

"He did have gas within the chest cavity compressing the lungs and heart."

Emergency surgery helped relieve the pressure on Mr McCormack's heart and lungs.

"It's not in the textbooks, and it's the first time anyone I know has seen it as well," Dr Smith said.

A hospital spokeswoman said it could have killed Mr McCormack.

"It's fair to say he's lucky to be alive, it was a potentially life-threatening situation," she said.

Dr Smith said Mr McCormack had almost shrunk back to his normal size.

footfootfoot · 05-25-2011, 07:58 PM

wolf · 05-25-2011, 08:00 PM

I can almost guarantee you that truckie Stephen McCormack is lonely, not clumsy.

So, what's Kiwi for "Here, hold my beer?"

That's some wicked looking pee. Merc, does that look like renal failure in a cup (foley, rather) to you?

Oop. My bad. Not a foley. That's a suction thingy. I looked it up. never mind, go on about your actual medical business.

I am not a real doctor, but I do have a master's degree.

monster · 05-25-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

I can almost guarantee you that truckie Stephen McCormack is lonely, not clumsy.

Sheldonrs · 05-25-2011, 08:08 PM

Inflation is making everyone take it in the ass these days.

monster · 05-25-2011, 08:10 PM

Sheldon!!!!! You need to report to Mr. Undertoads Office RIGHT NOW!

Undertoad · 05-25-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

and was impaled in the thigh

He's doing it wrong?

TheMercenary · 05-25-2011, 09:25 PM

Crazy.

plthijinx · 05-25-2011, 09:37 PM

SHIT!
what i get for not reading around first. posted it in current events under wtf news. mods?? couldja delete pretty please??

kthxbai

Big Sarge · 05-25-2011, 09:58 PM

i'm the one that posted it in the wrong place. oh well, i'll try to get it right next time. sigh.

this has intrigued me. hmm, i wonder if it could be used to blow up specific body parts?? just wondering

HungLikeJesus · 05-25-2011, 10:40 PM

But on the positive side, no more wrinkles.

BrianR · 05-25-2011, 10:58 PM

Compressed air guns (for shark defense) have existed for years. I would be very surprised if some unfortunate person has not met his demise from one by now.

BigV · 05-26-2011, 12:14 AM

Now, on YouTube!

It *could* have been an accident... just like the beginning here.

Gravdigr · 05-26-2011, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

hmm, i wonder if it could be used to blow up specific body parts?? just wondering

I think penis spam uses one on his titties...

sexobon · 05-26-2011, 03:07 AM

He'll need some mood music ... Classical Gas.

05-25-2011, 07:50 PM	#1
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	Truck Driver Blown Up Like a Balloon This is a freak accident as reported by ABC News. I'm trying to find a photo. By NZ correspondent Dominique Schwartz, wires Posted Wed May 25, 2011 1:09pm AEST A New Zealand truck driver who inflated "like a balloon" when he fell buttocks-first onto a compressed air nozzle is being described as lucky to be alive. While working on Saturday, Steven McCormack slipped between the cab and the trailer of his truck and was impaled in the thigh by a high-pressure air cylinder which saw his body pumped full of compressed air. The 48-year-old Bay of Plenty truckie told the Whakatane Beacon he felt as if he was going to explode and began to scream as his neck, feet and hands swelled up. "I was blowing up like a football... it felt like I had the bends, like in diving. I had no choice but just to lay there, blowing up like a balloon," he said. Workmates rushed to Mr McCormack's aid, turning off the compressed air and packing ice around his swollen neck. Ambulance officers removed the brass nozzle and rushed him to Whakatane Hospital, where a surgeon treated the injury and drained one of his lungs, which had filled with fluid during the ordeal. Mr McCormack said doctors later told him that the air separated fat from muscle and they were surprised his skin did not burst. Now recuperating, he told the Beacon his skin felt "like a pork roast", hard and crackly on the outside but soft underneath. Treating surgeon Dr Barnaby Smith said by the time Mr McCormack arrived at the hospital, the gas had made its way from his thigh, into his abdominal cavity and chest. "It even tracked as high as his eyelids - he couldn't open them because they were so swollen," he said. "He did have gas within the chest cavity compressing the lungs and heart." Emergency surgery helped relieve the pressure on Mr McCormack's heart and lungs. "It's not in the textbooks, and it's the first time anyone I know has seen it as well," Dr Smith said. A hospital spokeswoman said it could have killed Mr McCormack. "It's fair to say he's lucky to be alive, it was a potentially life-threatening situation," she said. Dr Smith said Mr McCormack had almost shrunk back to his normal size. __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

05-25-2011, 07:58 PM	#2
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	__________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

05-25-2011, 08:00 PM	#3
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I can almost guarantee you that truckie Stephen McCormack is lonely, not clumsy. So, what's Kiwi for "Here, hold my beer?" That's some wicked looking pee. Merc, does that look like renal failure in a cup (foley, rather) to you? Oop. My bad. Not a foley. That's a suction thingy. I looked it up. never mind, go on about your actual medical business. I am not a real doctor, but I do have a master's degree. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis Last edited by wolf; 05-25-2011 at 08:06 PM. Reason: foolishness.

05-25-2011, 08:08 PM	#5
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Inflation is making everyone take it in the ass these days. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

05-25-2011, 08:10 PM	#6
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Sheldon!!!!! You need to report to Mr. Undertoads Office RIGHT NOW! __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

05-25-2011, 09:25 PM	#8
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Crazy. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

05-25-2011, 09:37 PM	#9
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	SHIT! what i get for not reading around first. posted it in current events under wtf news. mods?? couldja delete pretty please?? kthxbai __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

05-25-2011, 09:58 PM	#10
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	i'm the one that posted it in the wrong place. oh well, i'll try to get it right next time. sigh. this has intrigued me. hmm, i wonder if it could be used to blow up specific body parts?? just wondering __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

05-25-2011, 10:40 PM	#11
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	But on the positive side, no more wrinkles. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

05-25-2011, 10:58 PM	#12
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Compressed air guns (for shark defense) have existed for years. I would be very surprised if some unfortunate person has not met his demise from one by now. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

05-26-2011, 12:14 AM	#13
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Now, on YouTube! It could have been an accident... just like the beginning here. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

05-26-2011, 03:07 AM	#15
sexobon I love it when a plan comes together. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9,793	He'll need some mood music ... Classical Gas.

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