A New Hampshire man badly burned on the job is still in a Boston hospital as friends and strangers come to support his wife and daughter.
Mike Papagno, 33, an electrician, was at work on November 12, transporting heavy goods in New Hampshire when he encountered an accident with a main power line and suffered an “arc flash,” a third-degree shock. burns half of his body, officials said.
Mike’s wife called her in-laws at 1 am in a panic.
“As a father, to get this call … the worst feeling that can come out, the worst,” Michael Papagno said. “Here’s my son, I’ve been thinking he’s been dead for about an hour… It’s impossible to prepare for something like that.”
The family rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston where she was taken by medical helicopter with serious injuries.
Learning Mike was alive was a relief to his family, even though his recovery was sure to take a long time.
“Beyond belief. All I wanted when I heard this story was for him to get a chance to fight,” senior Papagno said. “This is a very long process. And we’re just crawling out of the starting gate, but we take it one day at a time. Sometimes it’s an hour or two at a time.”
Mike has been in a medically induced coma through surgery and skin grafts since he arrived in Boston. His burns are severe to his torso with severe damage to his face.
Mike lives in Merrimack, NH, with his wife and 8-month-old daughter. His young family wants to bring him home.
“He is an amazing father. He has patience and skill,” Mike’s father said. “Every day, we feel hopeful. He has three main things going for him: his age – he is 33 years old, has no medical conditions and is strong. “
As Mike recovers, his relatives, friends and other community members have donated more than $60,000 to GoFundMe to support his recovery and his young family.
“I am speechless,” his father said. “The turnout has been amazing.”
As the Papagnos talk to Mike at his bedside, they are anxious for the day when he will be able to answer them.
“Michael is probably the loudest in the family,” Mike’s father said. “So we have advised the nurses to enjoy this quiet time, because when he wakes up he will not be quiet, or quiet. So, we are looking forward to that.”
To donate to GoFundMe, click here: bfr
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