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Man cut in half asks for his organs to be donated while he's still alive

Doctors have praised Harish Nanjappa as 'heroic'

Siobhan Fenton
Friday 19 February 2016 08:47 GMT
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(Rex)

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A man severed in half in a traffic accident spent his last moments begging doctors to use his organs to help others.

Harish Nanjappa, 23, was driving his motorcycle in Nelamangala, India, when he was reportedly hit by a truck attempting to overtake him. He was cut in half by the collision and his body lay strewn in two parts across the road, The Times of India reports.

The young man remained conscious after the impact for a brief time before dying in hospital later. In his final moments, it is said he urged doctors to donate his organs - including his eyes.

Dr Bhujang Shetty, from Narayana Netralaya Hospital, told The Times of India: “We’ve collected Harish’s eyes as he was keen on donating his organs. It’s astounding how a man who was split in two and lying on the road was able to think with such clarity. It’s unheard of. He did not suffer head injuries because he was wearing a helmet.”

It is not yet known how many of Harish's organs will be viable for transplantation.

Organ transplantation has reached a record high in India over the course of the last year, with medical advancements and quicker transportation of organs between hospitals credited for the surge.

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