An electrician who was placed in a medically induced coma for weeks after a freak live wire accident requested ‘Coca-Cola or Corona’ when he woke up.
Michael Papagno, 33, who also goes by Mike, was working on moving an 18-foot-tall and 136-foot-long storage unit from Portsmouth to southern New Hampshire on November 12 when he mistakenly touched a power line.
While handling electric wires for a work project in Greenland, the giant shock shot through his body, leaving him with painful third-degree burns.
He spent two-and-a-half weeks at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in a coma, but on Friday, the father and husband woke up with his ‘really big spirit’ intact.
‘He remembers everything right up until he was put to sleep,’ Mike’s brother Matthew told WMUR.
Matthew said that by Sunday, his brother was already requesting his favorite snacks and drinks even though he can’t enjoy them just yet.
‘He’s trying to bribe nurses to get Coca-Cola or Corona,’ Matthew jokingly added.
Despite all that Mike has been through, his brother said that he is still his funny self, and that more than anything, he wants to thank everyone who has supported him and his family during the horrific experience.
Michael Papagno, 33, an electrician who was placed in a medically induced coma after being shocked by a live wire in a freak work accident, woke up on Friday
Mike was working on moving an 18-foot-tall and 136-foot-long storage unit from Portsmouth to southern New Hampshire on November 12 when he mistakenly touched a power line – sending a shock through his body. (Pictured: Mike and his wife Andrea)
‘He’s a funny person, just a really big spirit, big personality. And despite all these challenges, that has for sure not changed,’ Matthew told the outlet.
‘He just didn’t think that many people in the world would think of him in this situation. And it’s all been really positive for him the last couple of days.’
His wife, Andrea Papagno, has also shared her immense gratitude to those who have helped them stay in good spirits along the way.
In a Facebook post from November 28, Andrea said: ‘I have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful Michael’s alive, our daughter is healthy and for all of YOU.’
A GoFundMe page set up to help the family pay for Michael’s medical bills surpassed $187,680 as of Thursday evening.
After being airlifted to the hospital, Michael was expected to be in a coma for three weeks.
Matthew said that by Sunday, his brother (pictured) was already requesting his favorite snacks and drinks even though he can’t enjoy them just yet
He still has a long road to recovery ahead as he will need medical treatment for months to come.
While in the coma, doctors performed several skin grafts to start treating his severe burns, and according to Andrea, he has since had six total skin grafts and seven surgeries.
‘We’re hoping this will be the last one for a while,’ his wife wrote on Saturday.
Other than asking for her favorite treats and being his normal happy self, Michael also made sure he caught up with his eight-month-old.
‘He has been spending most of his time with his wife, and hearing about everything his daughter has been up to in the past few weeks,’ according to the donation page.
Mike’s father Michael and his brother Matthew previously emphasized how much he adores his daughter.
‘He has such a way with his baby,’ Michael told WMUR.
‘They FaceTime with several of us throughout the week, and it’s always dinner time and bath time. Michael just goes on and on and on, and she reacts so well to him. It’s nice to see.’
While his family hoped for the best possible outcome, Mike’s baby was seen holding her dad’s necklace in her hand in a heartwarming photo shared by Andrea.
While his family hoped for the best possible outcome, Mike’s baby was seen holding her dad’s necklace in her hand in a heartwarming photo shared by Andrea
He still has a long road to recovery ahead as he will need medical treatment for at least three months
‘I am speechless. I’ll find the right words at some point but I am truly speechless. Thank you all for the love, support, donations and spreading his story,’ she wrote at the time.
Mike has been a member of the 103 Advantage, an electrical union based in Massachusetts, for 13 years.
The electrical worker lived in Mansfield, Massachusetts, with his family for his entire life until he moved to Merrimack, New Hampshire two years ago.
Bay Crane Northeast LLC had permission from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to move the equipment.
The regional Occupational Safety and Health Administration office has launched a safety investigation into the incident, but it can be up to six months before any conclusions are drawn.
Matthew said: ‘To know Michael is to love Michael. My brother is the most fun, the loudest in the room, and the life of the party everywhere he goes. He is an amazing Dad, Uncle, Son, Brother and friend.’
