Doctor: Conn. man cut arm nearly off after being trapped in furnace, rescued after 3 days

Conn. man cut arm after being trapped in furnace

HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut man trapped for at least three days with his arm stuck in his furnace cut his own arm nearly off because of a spreading infection.

Dr. Scott Ellner of St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center said Thursday that Jonathan Metz used his own tools to cut through his arm near the shoulder after smelling dead tissue. He said Metz likely saved his own life, but must have been in indescribable pain.

Metz’s arm became trapped as he worked on the furnace Sunday. He attempted the amputation Tuesday, but still couldn’t free himself. He was rescued Wednesday night after friends noticed he was missing.

Firefighters ripped apart the furnace with heavy tools to get him out.

Ellner says Metz fashioned his own tourniquet and drank water that had leaked from the furnace.

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 and failed to show up at a softball game, authorities said.

Doctors had to amputate Jonathan Metz’s left arm after he was rescued late Wednesday, and he remained hospitalized Thursday in the surgical intensive care unit of a Hartford hospital.

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, 31, 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.”

One of the doctors who amputated Metz’s arm was scheduled to discuss the case Thursday afternoon with Metz’s permission, and was expected to share details of Metz’s attempts to free himself.

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.