Minnesota Boy Survives Arrow Through Brain in Accident

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Nine-year-old Gus Deterding of Alexandria, Minnesota, was helping load his dad’s truck for a hunting trip when he slipped on icy ground. Carrying a youth bow and arrow tucked under his arm, Gus fell face-first, and the arrow shot upward, impaling his head just beside the nose.
Terrifying Slide, Unbelievable Outcome
He arrived home bleeding and panicked, calling out to his mom, “Am I dying? Am I going to leave you? I don’t want to yet.” His parents rushed him to a local hospital, where a vigilant ER doctor arranged for helicopter transport to Children’s Minnesota Hospital for further evaluation.

When Feeling Fine Turns Grim
At first, Gus seemed surprisingly okay—he was alert, chatting, and had only a minor visible wound. Doctors discharged him that day. But hours later, vomiting began. A return visit led to head scans, which revealed something terrifying: the arrow had penetrated his skull and lodged deep into his brain, missing a major artery by just two centimeters.
Pulled the Arrow Out Himself
Even more astonishing? Gus had pulled the arrow out himself while still in the driveway. Doctors were stunned. One said he’d never seen a case like this in nearly three decades of trauma work. The scan, he admitted, literally took his breath away when he saw how close the injury had come to being fatal.

Despite the severity, Gus made a full and speedy recovery. Within three months, he was skating, playing baseball, and back to his regular kid routines. Doctors, family, and even seasoned medical professionals called his survival nothing short of a miracle.
Doctors and Parents in Awe
Medical experts said the arrow had somehow missed every critical brain structure. They praised Gus’s calm response during the accident, crediting his ability to remain composed as a major reason he survived. His parents said they’ve chosen not to pressure him to relive it—and are just thankful to have their son back, healthy and whole.
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