BOSTON (Gray News) – An electrician’s family says he is facing a long road to recovery after he was shocked by a power line at work, leaving him with third-degree burns to half his body.
Family members say 33-year-old Michael “Mike” Papagno is in a medically induced coma at a Boston hospital. The electrician was shocked by a power line Nov. 12 while helping transport heavy equipment in Greenland, New Hampshire, WMUR reports.
“It’s the most terrible news a father or parent can receive. Talking about my son and whether he would live or die,” said Mike’s father, Michael Papagno. “It’s the most visceral reaction you can ever imagine.”
Mike Papagno suffered third-degree burns to half his body and is facing a long road to recovery, according to a GoFundMe set up for his family. He married his wife, Andrea, last year, and they have an 8-month-old daughter.
“He’s basically got burns on most of the top of his body, on his nose to the belt and everywhere around. His hands are OK,” Mike’s brother, Matthew Papagno, told WJAR.
The 33-year-old has had several surgeries since the accident and will likely need many more.
“It’s a very, very long process, and we’re just crawling out of the start gate. But we take it one day at a time. Sometimes it’s an hour or two at a time,” Mike’s father told WFXT.
The family is holding out hope that Mike Papagno’s age and strength will see him through this tragedy. He is described as a fun, loud and happy man who would give you the shirt off his back if you were in need.
“He’s an amazing father. He has such patience and skill,” his father told WFXT. “Every day, we feel more hopeful.”
The family’s GoFundMe has raised more than $176,000 to help with medical bills and lost income as the 33-year-old remains hospitalized.
“Michael is probably the loudest one in the family,” his father told WFXT. “We’ve warned the nurses to enjoy some of this quiet time because when he wakes up, he won’t be quiet… So, we’re looking forward to that.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says it is investigating the incident to find out if there were any violations of workplace safety standards.
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