Armenian mother severely injured by flying metal sheet reveals details of incident

A 23-year-old pregnant woman and her newborn baby are recovering after a life-threatening accident in which a piece of metal roofing, torn loose by strong winds, struck the woman in the abdomen, causing serious injuries.

Ruzanna Harutyunyan, who was 36 weeks pregnant, was hit by the sharp metal sheet while stepping outside her home to call her child indoors during the storm on May 11.

"I had just gone outside to call my child home when it happened. I didn’t even make it to him. The wind ripped off a metal sheet from our roof and it hit me right in the stomach. There was heavy bleeding and I had a severe laceration," Harutyunyan recounted at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Neighbors rushed her to the nearest maternity hospital, Erebuni Medical Center. Due to the severity of her condition, doctors performed an emergency cesarean section minutes after her arrival.

"I didn’t think either of us would survive," Harutyunyan admitted. "But thanks to God and the quick response of the doctors, we both made it. This truly feels like a miracle."

The baby girl, named Marine, was born with a 5-centimeter laceration on her forehead as a result of the impact. She is the couple’s third child. Harutyunyan has yet to see her newborn in person, having only seen some photos sent by her family. The baby is currently being fed with formula and her condition is described as stable.

Dr. Andranik Poghosyan, Director of the Erebuni Maternity Clinic and an associate professor with over 45 years of experience, told reporters he had never encountered a similar case before.

“It felt like divine intervention that both mother and child survived,” he said.

According to Dr. Poghosyan, the medical team sprang into action immediately upon the patient’s arrival. Within 2–3 minutes, preparations for surgery were underway.

“The surgical incision was done with great precision, which was critical since the uterus had sustained a significant injury. The mother reported that her waters had broken right after the trauma. The blow was so severe that the newborn sustained a deep cut above her left temple. The mother is recovering well and will be discharged soon," he explained.

Despite the trauma, doctors believe Harutyunyan will be able to have children again in the future.

The baby was transferred to the Surb Astvatsamayr Medical Center to have the wound on her forehead treated. Its medical staff confirmed that the infant’s life is not in danger.