Chris Rowley, a 59-year-old musician from Leicestershire, UK, suffered life-threatening injuries after tripping over his playful hairless Egyptian sphinx kitten, Eric Morecambe. The accident occurred on October 23 while Rowley was alone at home. As he descended the stairs, the kitten jumped at his leg, causing him to lose his balance and fall down 14 steps. Rowley’s injuries were severe, including a broken neck, fractured spine, skull injury, broken ribs, and blood in his lungs. Meanwhile, Eric was unharmed.
At the time of the fall, Rowley didn’t fully comprehend the extent of his injuries. It wasn’t until paramedics arrived that he learned the severity of his condition. Despite his grievous injuries, Rowley remained immobile on the floor for 14 hours, unable to move or call for help because his phone was dead. He described the feeling of helplessness as excruciating, comparing it to claustrophobia.
Rowley’s wife, Jackie, who works as a children’s care worker, wasn’t due home until the morning. When she arrived, she found her husband sprawled on the floor in pain and blood, and he was able to ask for help. Jackie immediately called emergency services, but Rowley’s condition was so serious that medics had to sedate him to move him. The couple had no idea how bad his injuries were until later.
Rowley was rushed to the hospital, where he spent two weeks in the trauma unit. Although his physical recovery will take six to twelve months, he still faces additional medical procedures and ongoing health challenges. He now requires oxygen to breathe and is undergoing tests to monitor his condition. On top of this, the accident has financially impacted Rowley, as he is unable to tour, his primary source of income. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help alleviate some of the financial burden.
Despite the traumatic experience, Rowley holds no ill will toward his kitten. He views the accident as an unfortunate incident, acknowledging that such things can happen to anyone. Although the recovery will be long, Rowley remains optimistic and focuses on the support from his family and friends.
