A chef had his arm amputated after a severe electric shock while preparing lunch, despite numerous surgeries to save it
Birmingham: A chef named Matt Davies faced a life-changing incident while getting ready for the lunch rush. He suffered a severe electric shock that left his arm in terrible condition.
At 56, Matt had his left arm “blown to pieces” after being hit by 32 amps of electricity. He was quickly taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he spent three weeks undergoing surgeries to try to save his arm.
Despite the doctors’ efforts, including over 70 surgeries due to infections, Matt had to have his arm amputated from the elbow down in April 2024. He shared how painful it was to come to terms with the loss of his arm, saying, “It was my arm. It was me.”
Before this accident, Matt had a long career as a chef, running six restaurants in Staffordshire. He doesn’t remember much about the day it happened back in October 2017, but he recalls the intense pain and the long recovery process that followed.
After the accident, he was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, which caused him constant pain. He described it as a horrendous experience, saying, “I’m in horrendous pain all the time.”
Over the past seven years, Matt has faced numerous health challenges, including repeated hospital visits and surgeries. In 2022, he nearly lost his life after a surgery went wrong, leading to significant blood loss.
Reflecting on his journey, he mentioned how things got worse over time, culminating in the amputation. He called it the hardest day of his life, filled with pain and anger over losing his dominant arm.
Despite everything, Matt and his family are grateful to the doctors who helped him. To give back, he started hosting charity dinners, raising significant funds for causes that supported him during his recovery.
He’s already planning more events this year, including one with a MasterChef finalist. Matt finds joy in these gatherings, saying they help him feel like himself again.
Even though he still deals with health issues, Matt remains positive. He encourages others to seek help during tough times, reminding them that it’s all about how you choose to perceive your life.
