A teenage footballer feared brain-dead, is now back home with his family after making a miracle recovery.
Pedro Severino was in the front passenger seat when the car rear-ended a lorry on the motorway three months ago.
He was taken to hospital with a critical head injury and underwent successful brain surgery later that morning.
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However, his condition remained critical and a doctor declared the 19-year-old brain dead that evening.
When the news was reported, a second doctor still had to agree with the diagnosis for his death to be legally confirmed.
The brain death protocol was initiated on 4 March as reported by Need To Know.
But the next day, as sedation was being withdrawn, Pedro showed a cough reflex, prompting doctors to stop the procedure.
On 6 March, he was transferred from the hospital in Americana, in Brazil’s São Paulo state, to another facility in Ribeirão Preto.
On 14 March, a medical bulletin confirmed he had started breathing on his own for short periods.
He was still in intensive care but no longer needed sedatives, and his neurological condition remained serious but stable.
He was discharged from the ICU on 24 March, in stable condition and breathing completely unaided.
But, he remained in another wing of the hospital because his neurological condition still required close monitoring.
On 24 March, his father, former striker, Lucas Severino, revealed he was no longer at risk.
He wrote: “After 80 days filled with anguish and tears, but also many surprises and moments of joy, Pedro is alive – and he will live!”
Lucas – who played for Brazil alongside Ronaldinho at the 2000 Summer Olympics – revealed: “He now has spontaneous limb movement, does mobility exercises in the room with the help of physiotherapists, breathes on his own, eats normally, and has started verbal communication – but he still has a long road to full recovery.
“And he will get there!”
He added: “Pedro is still in recovery – still somewhat confused – but gradually regaining awareness.
“He needs daily care to ensure that this slow and delicate process continues with the same success.”
Yesterday (10 Jun), Lucas shared the first photos of his son after his discharge from the hospital.
He wrote: “To everyone who prayed, who fasted, who made promises, who encountered God, who cried, who believed – to every single person at Unimed Ribeirão Preto hospital who tirelessly refused to give up, even when the prognosis wasn’t good – thank you!”
Lucas added: “Now we move on to the next stage:
“Rehabilitation at home!”
Pedro was en route to Atibaia for his first training session with the Red Bull Bragantino U20 team when the horror unfolded.
Another footballer – 18-year-old Pedro Castro – was in the back seat but only sustained minor injuries.
Their chauffeur – 57-year-old Aguinaldo Romero Lago – later admitted to police that he had fallen asleep at the wheel.
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