4-year-old internally decapitated, survives without surgery
by Sierra Oshrin
Courtesy: Leah Woodward
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***Update: How is Killian recovering? The latest here***
A youthful boy is expected to make a total recovery after doctors say he was internally decapitated. And for that, they’re thanking a good Samaritan who held his head flawlessly still until paramedics arrived.
When someone is internally decapitated, their head is essentially just holding on by a thread- like the spinal cord.
Less than one percent get through the injury. Those who do, need extensive surgery and wear a halo brace. This miracle child didn’t have to fall under any of that.
It was a stormy day when Killian and his mother, Brandy Gonzalez, determined to make the excursion back home to Nevada after celebrating Killian’s fourth bday.
Ice on the road caused the vehicle to skid out of control, crashing into another car.
At the same time, a Nampa police officer and his wifey were coming down the hill and witnessed the crash unfold in front of them. As the very first ones on-scene, they quickly got out of the car to see if there were any survivors. That’s when they heard a little boy screaming from the car.
Leah Woodward says they were incapable to get into the car because of locked doors. Her spouse then took a hitch and smashed out the back window of the vehicle.
With a little guidance from her spouse, Woodward sat up the lifeless 4-year-old and held C-Spine.
“I’m attempting to stay peaceful but inwards I’m panicking. I’m thinking I don’t know what I’m doing, and it was the worst feeling I’ve ever had to not know how to help.”
Woodward held his head straight for over half an hour. A budge that likely saved his life.
Now, Killian is at St. Luke’s. His mother – across town at St. Alphonsus. They haven’t seen each other since the accident.
“It’s just so hard because I’m in the same town and I haven’t been able to see him,” said Gonzalez, Killian’s mother. “It’s just hard knowing he’s in so much anguish and I can’t be there.”
Killian ruptured his spleen, broke his arm and numerous ribs. But the worst injury he suffered from was clinical decapitation. A infrequent condition where his skull separated from his spine.
Most people don’t even get through, but Killian is expected to make a utter recovery. He’s eating, walking, and even sitting up by himself. All without surgery.
Gonzalez says the boy is doing amazing, “He’s shocked everyone there. They keep telling me he’s the talk of the hospital.”
Her spirits are high, despite violating every limb in her figure except one. She shattered her ankle, broke her arm, femur and top of her tibia.
Two unlikely survivors, who now get a 2nd chance.
“There’s a reason we’re here and we’re just going to attempt every day to figure out what that reason is.”
The crash – bringing together two mother’s who will now be life-long friends.
“She saved my baby, she gave him back,” Gonzalez cried.
“No mom should lose their child and she gets to have her boy. That’s truly awesome,” Woodward said.
A Go Fund Me page has been created for Gonzalez and Killian to help pay for medical expenses.
Both Gonzalez and Woodward are looking for the two dudes in this photo. They want to personally thank them as well. If you know either of the boys, email our newsroom at [email protected]
***Update: How is Killian recovering? The latest here***