Picture This! Worker Survives Chainsaw Necklace Nightmare

A chainsaw that cuts through trees like butter obviously can create unspeakable destruction when it kicks back and strikes its operator. Amazingly, a young tree trimmer is still around to speak about an incident that left a running chainsaw’s chain embedded in his neck. The saw’s chain snapped and it flew back and sliced about two inches into his skin, lodging the blade and chain between his collarbone and his neck. The saw was still running afterwards. The worker, James Valentine, 21, managed to shut off the chainsaw and climb down the tree he had been cutting. He survived the horrifying experience only because the saw did not strike any major arteries and instead cut into muscle tissue. Valentine successfully underwent surgery in Pittsburgh to remove the blade and chain and said he is looking forward to returning to work. Here is an X-ray showing the saw’s chain lodged in Valentine’s neck. (Photo courtesy Allegheny Health Network)