Israeli Woman Survives Fishing Hook Injury to Neck After Diving Accident in Eilat

A 33-year-old woman was injured during a freediving session in Eilat when a fishing hook, cast from the shore, became embedded in her neck. She independently traveled to Yoseftal Hospital, where CT scans revealed the hook was lodged just five millimeters from major blood vessels. The woman reported feeling a sharp impact and a pulling sensation underwater. Her partner cut the fishing line, and upon reaching shore, she identified herself to the fisherman who had mistakenly believed he caught a large fish.

Due to the hook's proximity to critical blood vessels, she was taken to surgery under general anesthesia, where an ear, nose, and throat specialist safely removed the hook. Dr. Michael Nash, a senior ENT and head and neck surgeon at Yoseftal Medical Center, emphasized that if the hook had penetrated slightly deeper or had been removed improperly in the field, it could have caused life-threatening bleeding. He advised against attempting to remove embedded foreign objects independently and recommended immobilizing them and seeking urgent medical care.

After surgery and observation in the ENT department, the patient was discharged in good condition. This incident highlights the dangers of fishing equipment in recreational waters and the importance of professional medical intervention in such injuries.