This from SSAI President Dan Meyers:

I got a call from Scott Nelson ("Murrugun") in San Diego this morning. He said when he was performing last night, he attempted to swallow 6 swords, but they only went in a short ways and would not go further. When he removed the swords, he noticed a glob of blood on the blades. He said he later sneezed and coughed which caused him to spit up some saliva with blood. Later last night some of the blood he spit up appeared brownish.

This morning he again coughed up more blood and his neck was swollen with an air embolism. He has an air embolism on the right side of his neck, just below his jaw. His speaking voice sounds like a midget on helium, and he says he feels a little soreness on the right side of his neck, but not much difficulty in swallowing. The embolism is primarily around his right cheek and jaw from just below and chin down the right side of his neck that is a bit puffy and sounds and feels "crinkly" when he presses on it. I advised him to seek medical attention as soon as possible (and don't press on it and it won't make that sound!).

He just called me back and said he went to the medical center where he performed a month ago for Sword Swallowers Day and did the fluoroscopy, and he said that they found air inside him (I couldn't understand if he meant deeper in his thoracic cavity, although it sounds like most of his injury is in the upper cervical esophagus above his clavical). They did a CAT scan on him, and said he has a bit of air inside of him that could be problemsome. They are taking him into emergency surgery now to operate on him from the outside of his neck on the right side. He said "Well, it looks like I'll have the same scar and Charon and Kellie have!"

I asked him if he has had any minor injuries in the recent past. He said he had a situation about a month ago where he said he felt "a little messed up" and that might have contributed to this injury. He said they also found out last month that his left vocal cord is paralyzed that he thinks may have happened while on tour with Grim Brothers Sideshow this past fall.

He does not appear to be in much pain, and he said he swallowed an antacid last night without any difficulty. He said he will probably be sedated for a day to a day and a half, and they will keep him intubated the whole time, so he won't be able to talk for a few days, so please don't call him for a while.

Here is a video of Scott swallowing 4 swords a few weeks ago at Venice Beach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_hU133YAw

He just told me that he doesn't think he will continue swallowing multiples, at last not more than 4 at a time after this. His doctor told him he won't be able to swallow swords at all after this surgery.

I hope I got most of the details right. Just wanted you to all be aware of his injury, especially those of you who know Scott or have undergone similar injuries.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully it is something that he will be able to heal up from soon.

Addy, you have it right......This goes to show everyone who does these acts that there is REAL DANGER.

Update on Scott...


I spoke to his girlfriend late last night. They stitched him up orally! So no scars on the neck for him.


There is still air in his chest and neck, and the doctors are trying to figure out what to do about that.

He is on massive amounts of antibiotics, and is expected to stay in the hospital for about a week.



Scott will be alright.



Brett.

Even Seasoned Sword Swallowers Are Sometimes Skewered.
Novice Knife Nibblers Need To Take Note.

(Get well soon...)

Every professional sword swallower gets hurt sooner or later. I am glad Scott will recover from this.

Spectators always think there's some sort of trick involved in sword swallowing and fire eating. It's too bad they don't realize how much practice and skill it takes to perform these inherently dangerous acts.

Sometimes it's very difficult, not to insult their intelligence.

I am happy to share any expertise I have and render a medical opinion to any sideshow performer gratis. Send me the films and, if there is anything I can do, I will gladly help.

Jeremy

http://www.theshockdocshow.com

I'll pass that on Jeremy.



B.

I talked to Scott last night and he's feeling great! It will take some time to heal, but he will be fine.

Any update on whether he'll be able to swallow swords again?

Glad to hear he'll be fine! pass on our best wishes!

He will definitely be swallowing swords again! He told me that himself

He should keep his x-ray studies: they might make a great blow-off

Yeah it would..or is that one of those thing better off not shown to the public?

Just talked to Scott. He's doing very, very well.

He has sent his case info to the proper folks, and it has been added to the medical study that Dan helped put together.


Brett.

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear he's on the mend.