An Italian man shot himself through the heart with a crossbow bolt, but survived and is now recovering in hospital. The 47-year-old, who has not been named, had been handling the weapon in a village in Aosta province, northern Italy, on Monday evening when it fired.

 

An 11ins (30cm) bolt ended up lodged through the man's left heart ventricle and lung, with the end sticking out of his chest.  

A relative called medics who rushed him to hospital, where doctors decided not to remove the arrow from the still-conscious patient for fear of causing a fatal bleed. Instead he was transferred to a specialist heart hospital in Turin via air-ambulance, where surgeons put him to sleep before diverting his blood through a series of machines, Aosta Sera reports.

 

After the bolt had been removed the blood was pumped back into his body, and he was brought round.

 

The man is now said to be recovering well in hospital, with the operation deemed a 'complete success'.

 

Police say it appears the shooting was an accident, but are still investigating and have not ruled out a suicide attempt.