A British man is facing a long road to recovery after suffering catastrophic injuries caused by an unexpected accident involving his pet kitten.
Chris Rowley, a 59-year-old drummer from Leicestershire, England, was at home with his six-month-old sphynx cat, named Eric Morecambe, when the freak mishap occurred. The energetic kitten reportedly darted between his legs as he was walking down the staircase in his home. The sudden interference caused Rowley to lose his balance and fall violently down the full flight of stairs—14 steps in total.
The fall left him with a shocking list of injuries more often seen in serious car crashes. Among them: a broken neck, a fractured spine, skull fractures, a bleed on the brain, nine broken ribs, and a cracked scapula. These injuries rendered him almost completely immobilized.
What made the situation even more dire was that Rowley had no immediate way to call for help. His phone was out of reach, and due to the extent of his injuries, he was physically unable to move. He remained trapped at the bottom of the stairs for an agonizing 14 hours, alone and in severe pain.
Help finally arrived when his fiancée, Jackie Millerchip, came home from her overnight shift. She discovered him in critical condition and immediately called for emergency medical assistance. Paramedics rushed Rowley to the hospital, where he was admitted and treated for his extensive injuries. He remained hospitalized for two weeks as doctors worked to stabilize his condition and begin his path to recovery.
Medical professionals treating Rowley were reportedly stunned that he survived such a traumatic fall. Given the damage to his spine and skull, his injuries could easily have been fatal or left him permanently paralyzed. “The doctors said I was extremely lucky,” Rowley later remarked.
As he begins the long process of rehabilitation, Rowley has been told to expect a recovery period of six months to a year. During this time, he won’t be able to work or perform, placing a significant financial burden on his household. In response, friends and loved ones launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover his living and medical expenses during this difficult period.
Despite everything he has endured, Rowley holds no resentment toward the kitten that caused the accident. In fact, he’s still fond of little Eric, recognizing that the young cat was simply playing and didn’t mean any harm. “It was just a freak accident,” Rowley said, adding that he still considers the kitten a beloved companion.
This bizarre and unfortunate incident serves as a cautionary tale about how quickly life can change—and how even the most seemingly harmless situations can take a dangerous turn.
Do you think animals can sense guilt or responsibility when they unintentionally harm their humans?