January 15, 2026 - A 65-year-old woman in Valenzuela City was rescued after a steel rod pierced through her face while she was picking malunggay leaves from her neighbor’s plant box on the morning of January 13. She is now recovering in the hospital.

A senior citizen was saved in a dramatic rescue operation after she slipped and was impaled by a steel rod in a plant box in front of her neighbor’s house. The incident happened past 9 a.m. on January 13 in Valenzuela City. 

According to witnesses, the woman was gathering malunggay leaves when she suddenly felt dizzy, lost her balance, and fell toward the plant box where the steel rod struck her face. The rod entered below her chin and exited through her mouth, leaving residents shocked and immediately calling for help.

Rescuers from the Valiches Fire Substation responded quickly after receiving the emergency call. “Naka-receive tayo ng tawag from the Valiches Fire Substation na meron kang matandang babae na natusok sa isang plant box. So pagdating natin doon, in-stabilize muna natin yung sitwasyon and then… In-stabilize din natin yung injury ng pasyente muna. So ina-avoid natin na basta nalang tatanggalin sa pagkakatusok yung victim natin para maiwasan na lumala yung sitwasyon,” one rescuer explained. 

The team emphasized that removing the rod hastily could have worsened her condition, so they carefully stabilized her before attempting extraction.

The rescue operation lasted nearly 30 minutes due to the delicate nature of the injury. “Ang naging challenge lang po sa amin, syempre, nakatusok siya doon sa bakal so hindi natin pwede basta-basta galawin. So nagdahan-dahan lang po tayo doon hanggang matanggal natin siya doon sa pagkakatusok,” the rescuer added. After successfully freeing her from the steel rod, the victim was immediately rushed to the hospital for further treatment.

Doctors confirmed that the rod narrowly missed vital structures. “So from dito sa ilalim ng baba niya pumasok yung bakal and then lumabas sa may mouth niya. Kahit papano, pasalamat pa rin at walang tinamaan na vital yung… carotid artery, hindi masyado. And then yung dito, yung sa trachea, yung sa earring,” the rescuer noted, highlighting the fortunate outcome despite the severity of the accident. The woman is now recovering and continues to receive medical care.

The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by elderly individuals, especially when performing tasks outdoors without assistance. Local authorities encourage families and communities to look after senior citizens to prevent similar accidents. The Valenzuela City government has ongoing programs for senior citizens, including medical support and welfare services.

This unusual accident has drawn attention on social media, with many expressing relief that the victim survived such a dangerous ordeal. She remains under observation at the hospital and is expected to recover with no major complications.