A MICHELIN-listed chef had his arm amputated after being electrocuted at work.
Matt Davies, 56, said his arm was “blown to bits” during the freak accident as he was preparing for lunch at a restaurant in Birmingham.
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Matt Davies, 56, underwent 70 operations to save his hand Credit: SWNS
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The Michelin-starred chef said his arm was ‘blown to pieces’Credit: SWNS
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Tragically, his injuries left Matt in chronic ‘terrible pain’Credit: SWNS
He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being electrocuted by 32 amps.
Matt underwent 70 surgeries in three weeks to save and reconstruct his arm.
The father-of-three had a stellar 40-year career as a chef before the incident, managing six restaurants in his local area.
Matt, from Marsden, Staffordshire, said: “I had a 32 amp surge at work.
“It blew my arm to pieces.
“My left hand – that was my hand. That was me.
“Getting over the amputation – I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it.”
Surgeons were initially able to use skin grafts to save his arm, which he said left his leg looking like a “zebra”.
But tragically, the accident left Matt with chronic “terrible pain”.
“It’s a pain that spreads to my left arm and affects the whole left side of my body,” he said.
For seven years, Matt was in and out of the hospital for various infections and needed additional surgeries.
He almost lost his life after losing four liters of blood following an operation in 2022.
“As the years went by, it got worse and worse,” Matt continued.
“That year 2022, I was in the hospital for four months.”
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Matt Davies before amputation Credit: SWNS
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He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after being electrocuted with 32 amps Credit: SWNS
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He spent three weeks in hospitalCredit: SWNS
In April 2024, the decision was made to amputate the arm after another severe infection.
“It was a terrible decision,” he said.
“It was the hardest day of my life.
“It was a pain like I have never experienced.
“It still haunts me today. I still feel very angry.
“I’m a true lefty – it’s terrible to have that taken away from me.”
But Matt and his wife Tina, 57, hailed doctor Colonel Mark Foster who “saved his life”.
The dad-of-three was inspired to hold charity dinners with fellow Michelin-starred chefs to raise money for organizations that have helped him in his recovery, including Fisher House and University Hospital Birmingham.
He has worked with the likes of Tom Shepherd and raised as much as £16k at one event.
Matt also has dinners lined up this year with MasterChef The Professionals finalist Louisa Ellis and his annual “great Brummie menu” event.
The 56-year-old said: “My wife says that she brings her husband back at those dinners.
“I think it’s super emotional.
“I’m turning a very horrible incident into a positive thing by giving back.”
Despite his positivity, Matt will likely need further surgeries.
“People say they find it inspiring, which is humbling for me,” added the father of three.
“Times can get dark, but you can ask for help. You have two choices – to do something or not to do something.
“Now that’s how you understand your life.”
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The Michelin-starred chef was running six restaurants at the time of the freak accidentCredit: SWNS
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Matt Davies and wife Tina are grateful to doctor Colonel Mark Foster who ‘saved his life’ Credit: SWNS
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The chef continues to raise money for the charities that helped him recover Credit: SWNS
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education