Former Nodes of Ranvier Bassist Loses Arms in Near-Fatal Accident
Posted on Jul 28th 2009 10:45AM by Chris Harris
Comments
Brady Murphy, who played bass on Christian metalcore act Nodes of Ranvier's 2007 LP 'Defined by Struggle' and was a member of the band until their 2008 split, is lucky to be alive, after losing both arms in an accident that happened back in May. According to South Dakota newspaper the Argus Leader, Murphy, who is 22-years-old, survived an unexpected surge of 7,200 volts while on the job as an electrical lineman, a surge so intense, his hair melted to his scalp and his beard fused to his face.The paper reports that Murphy was working inside a boom-truck bucket, as part of a team working for Highline Construction Company to transfer power lines to newly-installed poles near Onawa, Iowa. Somehow, the crane touched the wires, sending the almost-deadly shock through his body.
When workers found Brady, he was slumped on the floor of the bucket, semi-conscious. His hair was gone, and his arms were severely burned. According to his brother, Ben, who was at the scene at the time of the accident, "his arms, they looked charred. And his hands ... all you could see were basically bones. They were just charred up to his wrist, so I was pretty sure he was losing those. But I hoped not much more of his arms after that."
Brady's arms were amputated only inches below each shoulder, and each is connected by plastic tubing, attached to a pump he carries around in a backpack, which circulates fresh blood in and out of the wounded areas to promote the growth of new skin. Brady's head is bandaged and a protective covering attached at the cheek protects skin grafts there. The bassist doesn't remember the accident, and now, is charged with the task of relearning the most basic of human functions.
"It's just a miracle that he's even here," Brady's mother, Lori Wendt, told the paper. "Doctors say it was one of the worst burns they've ever seen anyone survive." Brady, it is hoped, will one day be fitted for prosthetic arms and hands, which he'll have to master the control of. So far, the paper claims Brady has had 11 surgeries, with two more on the calendar. He is also expected to undergo several more skin grafts, and is on 17 prescriptions to aid the healing process.
The paper reports that he experiences phantom pain is his missing limbs and hands. "It's an excruciating pain in my hands," he said. "I don't know what it is, and they don't really have any cure for it to make it go away. It's odd that I feel like I can raise my arms and wiggle my fingers. If I had to pick one thing, that pain would be the worst thing."
Brady, who was about to assemble a new band when his life was changed forever, joined Nodes of Ranvier in 2006, and was with the group until they split soon after the release of their 2007 LP. Guitarist Jon Parker said Brady's situation "is rather tragic, but it's been amazing to see how people have come together to help him with finances and prayers."
Nodes of Ranvier were signed to Victory Records at the time they broke up, and had toured with several bigger bands, including Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, Bury Your Dead, Caliban, Comeback Kid, Norma Jean, Misery Signals, and Extol.
Filed under: News
All the AOL Music info you want to know
Blake Shelton's 'Healing in the…
The BootAndrew H. Walker, Getty Images Nine days after the deadly tornado that touched…
Chief Keef Receives Apology From Katy…
The BoomboxFacebook Will Chief Keef accept an apology from one of pop music's biggest stars?…
2 Chainz Prepares Sophomore Album for…
The BoomboxKevin Winter, Getty Images 2 Chainz will be a busy man this summer. The rap titan…
Kellie Pickler Named 'Dancing With the Stars' Champion
Kellie Pickler Gets Puppy Surprise After Moving 'Dancing With the Stars' Performance
J. Cole Performs 'Born Sinner' on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,' Reveals Competitive Spirit Against Kanye West
Blake Shelton Joins NBC in Organizing Oklahoma Tornado Benefit Concert
Beyonce Releases New Anthem, 'Grown Woman'
Charlie Sheen Gets Back To His Roots
Toby Keith Returns to Help Family, Friends in Moore, Oklahoma
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Black Hippy Release 'U.O.E.N.O.' Remix
That's An Interesting Look, Madge
Mariah Carey's Dress Busts Open During 'GMA' Performance
Candid Portraits Of Strippers After Hours
Blake Shelton's 'Healing in the Heartland' Benefit Show to Include Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert More
Mariah Carey Curses And Busts Out Of Dress On Live TV
Darius Rucker Felt Compelled to Expose Racist Tweeter
16 Pasta Dishes Worse Than Yours
AMAZING PHOTO: UFO Spotted Over San Diego
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Best Friends Reportedly Die Holding Each Other In Tornado
Luke Wilson Caught Staring At Fan's Chest
Danny Tanner Is Fighting With Topanga
Rapper Accused Of Faking His Own Death To Escape Payments
Jury Foreman: '18 Days Of Testimony Hurt' Jodi Arias
New Trayvon Martin Evidence Features Incriminating Photos, Texts From Teen
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
Surgeons Remove Giant Hairball From Tiger
LISTEN: Terror Inside Elementary School As Tornado Hits
Brave Woman Stood Down Armed London Attackers
LOOK: Photoshop Mistake Is Seriously Cringeworthy
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Mum-Of-Two Faces Down Woolwich Attack Suspects
'DWTS' Shakeup Ahead?
56 Comments