Samantha Motion / Whakatane Beacon via AP

In this photo taken on May 21 and made available by AP today, truck driver Steven McCormack gets treatment at Whakatane Hospital after an accident with an air hose in Whakatane, New Zealand. McCormack said he blew up like a balloon when he fell onto the fitting of a compressed air hose that pierced his buttock and forced air into his body at 100 pounds a square inch.

Compressed air turns trucker into human balloon

The AP reports from WELLINGTON, New Zealand:

A New Zealand truck driver said he blew up like a balloon when he fell onto the fitting of a compressed air hose that pierced his buttock and forced air into his body at 100 pounds a square inch.

Steven McCormack was standing on his truck's foot plate Saturday when he slipped and fell, breaking a compressed air hose off an air reservoir that powered the truck's brakes.

He fell hard onto the brass fitting, which pierced his left buttock and started pumping air into his body.

Continue reading for an interview with McCormack.

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Comment author avatarkatherine ayers

Not sure who this man's nurse is but that pleurvac needs to be below his lung level AT ALL TIMES. He is a very fortunate person.

    Reply#1 - Wed May 25, 2011 9:57 PM EDT
    Comment author avatarMichael J. McFadden

    Katherine, interesting point -- particularly considering that he is HOLDING it there ON his mattress, in prime position for the AP photographer to shoot a nice photo advertising Atrium and Oasis. Wonder what the story is behind that and wondering if and who got paid what for the "ad."

    - MJM

      Reply#2 - Sat May 28, 2011 10:05 PM EDT
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