Strange News – The Man Who Fell From The Sky

How can a serious brain injury, a broken back, crushed chest and pelvis, ruptured abdomen, a broken right arm and two broken legs be considered good luck? When compared to the alternative. Alcides Moreno, who suffered these horrific injuries, was more fortunate than his brother, Edgar. The window washing brothers fell from a 47 story platform on December 7th of last year. Edgar was pronounced dead at the scene but Alcides was semi-conscious when rescue workers arrived.

The surviving Moreno brother was given 24 pints of blood, 19 pints of plasma and underwent emergency abdominal surgery. He spent most of December undergoing a series of orthopedic operations to stabilize his spine, pelvis, chest and legs.

But a more immediate concern had been his recovery at all. Alcides Moreno, who had been unresponsive since the day of the accident, regained consciousness on Christmas day (though he mistook a nurse for his wife, Rosario).

Experts say that the chances of surviving a 500 plus feet fall onto pavement is infinitesimally small. A three story tumble is often fatal.

Doctors predict a full and functional recovery for Elcides but it may be a year before he is able to walk again. When that happens, Moreno says he plans to return to his old job, washing the windows of skyscrapers.