Conn. man loses arm that was trapped in furnace for days in his basement before he was rescued

Conn. man loses arm trapped in furnace for days

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Authorities say a Connecticut man’s arm has been amputated after it was stuck for at least three days in his furnace.

Police found 31-year-old Jonathan Metz in his West Hartford basement Wednesday night after friends grew worried when he missed work, did not answer calls and failed to show up at a softball game.

Authorities say he apparently was working on the furnace over the weekend when his left arm got stuck, trapping him for days. Firefighters had to rip apart the furnace to get him out.

Metz was listed in stable condition Thursday in the surgical intensive care unit of a Hartford hospital.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A man was trapped for at least three days with his arm stuck in the furnace in his basement, where he was found after friends contacted police because he missed work, did not answer calls at his home and failed to show up at a softball game, authorities said.

Police found Jonathan Metz, 31, on Wednesday night with his left arm trapped in the furnace. Firefighters ripped apart the furnace with heavy tools to get him out, including a spreader normally used to take the door off a car, West Hartford Fire Chief Matt Stuart said.

Metz’s friend Luca DiGregorio said he and other friends grew worried when Metz, who lives alone, did not show up for work this week and missed a Tuesday night softball game.

Metz also did not answer the doorbell when DiGregorio stopped at his home Wednesday, where he said he saw Metz’s beagle, Porsche, “yipping at the back door.”

DiGregorio called police, who found Metz in the basement. He was mumbling during the rescue operation, so firefighters could not determine how long he had been trapped.

“I was a little worried, especially when the first cop showed up,” DiGregorio said. “Then more showed up, and then the ambulance showed up, so it got a little nerve-racking.”

Metz’s condition wasn’t immediately available Thursday. A message was left for a spokeswoman at the Hartford hospital where he was taken Wednesday night.

Neighbors describe Metz as a quiet, friendly man who helps them shovel out from storms and said they’re caring for his dog until he comes home and visiting him in the hospital.